Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. It is something that we long for in our homes, in our nation and in our world. It was also a precious promise that God gave to His people when they settled into the land God gave them – there would one day be peace from their enemies. It came in the kingdom of Solomon, but it did not last. Then centuries later, the prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of one who would be “The Prince of Peace”. When we take these well worn paths through God’s Word, we can appreciate more the wonder of the child we celebrate at Christmas and how Jesus will “speak peace” to God’s people, again.