Perhaps one of the common phrases heard during the Christmas season is, "Peace on earth." 

The phrase gives hope to many, while others have become a bit jaded with the recurring seasonal slogan. 

U2's frontman, Bono, sings the following words:
Heaven and earth we need it now
I'm sick of all this hanging around
Sick of sorrow, sick of pain
Sick of hearing it again and again
That there's gonna be Peace on earth

Like a gritty psalmist that wrestles with the future promises of God and the present instances of pain and war and sorrow, the Christmas sentiment of "Peace on earth" can seem hollow. 

This Sunday, we're going to reflect on Mary's song, The Magnificat. We'll consider her take on what the implications were for "Peace on earth" with the birth of her son and why it speaks to the longing of the human heart, but comes to us in a way no one would ever suspect. 

We hope you can join us this Sunday at 4pm for a special worship service at Rivergate. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John