At Christmas time, we hear a lot of talk about peace on earth, and about "baby" Jesus, the "Prince of Peace".

Christians ascribe to him verses in the Hebrew scriptures which supposedly "prophesy" his birth:  "For a child will be born to us..His name will be called Wonderful Counselor...Prince  of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). 

In the Christian scriptures, we are told: "He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near" (Ephesians 2:13-18). 

Jesus' own words give the lie to any notion of peace, least of all in the family:

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies will be members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matt. 10: 34-37)

There can be no peace with the wielding of "swords" nor with "turning" members of the same family against each other! 

 

John Guillaumier

St Julian's