Blessed are the peacemakers...

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Peacemakers... eireno-poioi ... makers of peace. poieo is the Greek word used for Creating in the LXX. It's doing, making, creating, manufacturing, producing, causing, accomplishing.

Blessed are those who produce peace (as a fruit, a la Gal 5).
Blessed are those who create a safe, peaceful place for others to rest.
Blessed are those who accomplish peace through keeping short accounts with God (1 John 1:9), refusing to go to bed angry (Eph 4:26), preserving unity (Eph 4:3), and forgiving each other (Col 3:13-14).

Blessed how? "They shall be called sons of God," receiving inheritance alongside the Firstborn...

"For a child will be born to us...And His name will be called ...PRINCE OF PEACE." Isaiah 9:6

Let us follow this Prince of Peace in all things, especially in this making of peace during this season we celebrate as the one heralded by the angels: "Peace on earth..." (Luke 2:14)

Doesn't matter if we are "clever enough" to know that this probably isn't when the Word took on flesh. Rather than squabbling about dates and times and seasons, let us concern ourselves with "Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17) which is how Paul defines the kingdom of God, which we are to pursue FIRST (Matt 6:33).

As Shabbat ends, receive this exhortation to move from resting in peace (shabbat shalom) to working out peace in our relationships and in our world.

Okay, go.