Our planet is but a small spec in a galaxy which is itself part of billions of stars and planets. And yes, from a distance it seems so beautiful, so ordered, peaceful and calm.

And up-close, we know that there is indeed a kind of calm and beauty, and the measured order and change of life, of season after season.

But up-close too there are evidences that not all is well on planet earth. Wars, and the threat and rumours of more, small local fights and huge death-struggles between nations, ideologies and political powers and intents.

And we hear the bells of Christmas, the messages and the carols that spread the Good News. And yet – and yet . . .

The world now seems little changed from the world of bygone years, and the promise of Christmas seems as remote and far away, as ever.

But having been seized by the Spirit of Christ and drawn by His love into the fellowship of His Church and into the Example and Promise of His Ways, and of His return one day, we continue in faithful hope and patient expectation for the long-awaited Prince of Peace to come again, and to bring the full promise and fulfilment of His life, death and resurrection.

Christians, His Body on earth, prayerfully wait and seek in the mean-while to live and to serve, both locally and globally, in ways that will give others hope, and bring that measure of peace that God wills for our neighbours, our communities, our world in our day.

We’ll not bring in the peace but we can point to the Prince who will, our Lord Jesus. We will not get it done, but we can set up signs that calm hearts within the thickest storms, the most ferocious battles of life.