Aloha

I have never been to Hawaii, but I was recently talking with a friend of mine.  He described Hawaii as the perfect place to be.  Perfect weather, beautiful scenery and friendly people.  He said he wanted to go back to Hawaii every year if he could.

The Hawaiian greeting, "Aloha" doesn't have a direct translation in English.  It is an idea that combines affection, peace, compassion and mercy and of course it is used as a common greeting.  It is not just part of the Hawaiian language but part of the culture.  We think of Christmas as the season of peace, mercy and charity.  We could think of it as the Aloha season.

Of course, the attitude is easy to maintain when you are on vacation.  There are a lot of places that seem like paradise when you are on vacation.  A cabin by a lake, a deer camp with a wood stove, or even a Super 8 Motel with a pool.  It's easy to have peace when you are separated from the daily stress.  It's a little harder day to day.

The trick is to get the peace of Aloha in our every day with out a several hour plane ride.

There may not be a word for Aloha in English, but in Hebrew it is called Shalom.  It is also used as a greeting and a wish of peace.  I am sure that a linguist would explain how these words are totally different, but from my limited perspective they seem pretty close.  Peace, Aloha, Shalom.

But the peace of Shalom does not just mean a lack of conflict.  There are conflicts and problems and turmoil.  To be at peace is not to just avoid conflict, or to be on vacation from them, but to be at peace in spite of them.  In the classic hymn, "It is Well With My Soul" the verse says Whatever my lot, though has taught me to say, It is well, It is well, with my soul.    Not that everything will be easy, but no matter what, I will have peace.

Watch this clip from Pastor Mike.

Christmas is a time of peace,  Not just good will and feelings of charity to all.  No this is true peace.  Emmanuel, God is with us and everything will be ok.  No matter what else happens, you can be at peace with it.  Peace.  Shalom.  Aloha.  Merry Christmas.