The Peace Found in Christmas

Jesus came into this broken world at a time with political unrest and little peace -much like it is today.  The first Christmas wasn’t Pinterest-perfect with matching pajamas and coordinating decorations.  The first Christmas was messy and chaotic.  Mary was an unwed teenager who was visited by an angel.  Her much older cousin was pregnant, and her cousin’s husband had suddenly gone mute. Mary’s upcoming wedding was in jeopardy, and her reputation was completely ruined, yet she was the one that God chose to be the mother of the Messiah.  

King Herod was afraid. He ordered the baby boys (those under the age of 2) to be killed. Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem for a census right before the baby was born.  It was the desert, which means hot and sandy.  Those 8 miles would have seemed like 800 to a very pregnant woman. The Prince of Peace wasn’t brought into this world in a lovely castle adorned with a gold throne. Instead, his humble beginning was in a stable because there was no room for him.

In all the preparations are we missing the most important part? Jesus – the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6). Peace isn’t found in the absence of problems but in Jesus himself. According to Strong’s Concordance, Peace in Greek is eiréné meaning one, quietness, and rest (“Strong’s Greek: 1515. εἰρήνη (eiréné) — one, peace, quietness, rest.”). Peace in Hebrew is shalom meaning completeness.

We always seem to hear about peace, love, and joy at the holidays. Christmas cards contain sayings about peace, but what is peace, and more importantly where can you find it?

Jesus is peace. He is the Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9 says, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen.” (Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT).  Jesus is our source of Peace.  The world seems chaotic, especially around the holidays with all the overspending, the overextended schedules, and the chaos of family gatherings.

Do you know the great thing about peace?  It can’t be stolen from you. We carry it with us in our hearts and minds because Jesus is peace. We receive peace by trusting God.  When things are spinning out of control, the to-do lists are piling up, the financial burden has gotten too much to bear, and we have to turn to the source of our peace. In Isaiah 26:3-4 we are reminded that “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV). Mary trusted God even when it seemed impossible and her world was spinning out of control.

We enjoy peace by following Jesus.  Have you ever noticed that when we are following Jesus and His will for our lives, our minds are at peace?  Jesus says in John 14:27, “‘I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.’“ (John 14:27 NLT). The peace that comes from Jesus isn’t the kind of peace that comes from the world.  The world makes us think the only way to be at peace is to not have problems, which isn’t true. You can have problems and still be at peace when you have Jesus. 

Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” (Romans 5:1 NLT). Jesus gives us peace. Peace is evidence of God working in our lives (Galatians 5:22).

Since peace is such a beautiful thing to us, especially as we enter this holiday season of festivities, spread peace to others as you tell them about Jesus. Immanuel means God with us because we carry the peace with us, we have nothing to fear, we are never alone, no situation is impossible or hopeless (hello teenage virgin giving birth to the Savior of the world!), and He’s always available.  His calendar isn’t too full for us.

1. How can you embrace peace this Christmas season?
2. What verse brings you the most peace?
3. How can I pray with you this Christmas season? What situation are you facing that needs Jesus?