I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
This past Sunday in Church we lit the peace candle on the Advent wreath. One of the best gifts Christmas gives us is the gift of peace. This is one of the key themes, isn’t it? Peace on earth, good will toward all.
Christ is the Prince of Peace. He comes to visit and redeem His people...and to guide our feet into the way of peace...That’s the way the Bible puts it. That’s the way it works. Many things in life can steal our peace, such as financial strains, relationships, conflicts at work, etc. Not just at Christmas, but every day of the year, Satan works hard to rob us of the peace that Christ can bring. Christmas is the dramatic reminder that Christ came into this world to redeem us and to bring peace to our troubled souls. If in faith we will accept it, Christmas has a great gift for us — the Gift of Peace.
Christmas Brings Us Peace with God
That first Christmas so long ago that baby brought the sweet healing balm for a hurting world, a broken heart, and a tired and weary soul. Jesus is the starting place because that is indeed what Christmas is all about. Jesus Christ came into this world to set us right with God. Jesus Christ came into the world to save us and to bring us back to God. What is it that brings us Peace with God? FORGIVENESS! This is the only way we can have the peace of Christmas. The only way is to let the Christ of Christmas bring us back to the Father who loves us and set us right with the One who made us. The first step toward the peace of Christmas is to receive the forgiveness of God.
Christmas Brings Us Peace with Ourselves
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27)More and more psychologists are telling us that we can’t feel good about life and other people until we feel good about ourselves. They call it a healthy self-esteem… which is simply another way of saying that we need to be right with our “selves.” In the midst of the twinkling lights and ornaments lies the amazing grace, mercy and love of a Savior; a Savior from our sins, a savior from our diseases, a savior from our pain and best of all, a savior from ourselves. He is the reason we can have peace. In the stolen moments between all the chaos and stress, let peace cover you. We can have peace because He came, because He brought Salvation, and along with it, the gift of peace. For all of us, when we are tired, and life feels hopeless and hope is nowhere to be found, He is our Prince of Peace and we can only find peace in Him. This Christmas, inhale the season – all of it. Inhale the beauty, sounds, smells, but most of all, inhale the grace and peace that Christ gives us.
Scripture to Claim:
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:13-14
