For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

The City of Fresno ranks 55th out of 59 large California cities in economic health. Last out of 59 in economic racial inclusion.*

What does that mean? It means if you are born in poverty in the city of Fresno the deck is stacked against you. That means Josie who was born into the Kirk (Southwest Fresno) neighborhood has almost a 20-year shorter life expectancy than Skylar who was born in the Riverview (North Fresno) neighborhood. The world is not as it should be.

This is the stuff that unsettles us at ENP (Every Neighborhood Partnership).

The prophet Isaiah provides this same shock and awe for us as we read his work. He is constantly waking us up to the injustice that is happening among the people of Israel and the surrounding nations.

But fortunately, Chapter 9 marks a vital shift in the story. What was despair now turns to hope. Off in the distance there is a light rising from the darkness. A glimmer of hope in a world of despair. A child is born and a son is given—peace incarnate.

During this Christmas season we are reminded that the King of the Universe came into this world and our call to in turn follow this son out into the world to proclaim the good news to all, especially the poor (Luke 4:14-30) and work to create a city in which the peace of Christ can be felt tangibly.

How are we to authentically preach this gospel of peace, when peace feels so out of reach for many in our community?

Until the final day we will work to share the good news and BECOME the good news. Creating a city in which shalom or God’s peace is achieved and everything is the way things ought to be for people, between people and in people.