The Promise: Peace

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable to thee, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer and Lord, give us here today, eyes to see and ears to hear so we can learn your word together as a family. We offer you all the praise, honor, and Glory for it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Good morning, my fellow encouragers!

Advent is a special time in the church to prepare for Jesus’s coming. It focuses on four important themes: hope, peace, joy, and love. These themes are gifts of Christmas, showing God’s presence on earth as Emmanuel, or “God with us,” and His promise to return.

Last week, we discussed hope through Simeon’s story, which embodies that waiting can be hopeful preparation. Today, we focus on peace.

I remember the chaos in stores during the holidays when long lines and rushing through long-awaited opening doors often led to fights. This craziness is the opposite of Jesus’s peace.

Online shopping has reduced some of that chaos, but that comes with its own frustrations as we rely on marketers and delivery services to deliver our packages on time and in one piece. It’s easy for Christmas joy to turn into anger and disappointment. Though we all wish for peace, conflicts often disrupt our calm.

None of that compares to the OT accounts of the struggles faced by God’s people, who experienced all manner of trials and cried out for peace. Isaiah promises a “prince of peace,” foretelling a ruler who would bring lasting peace. His prophecy gave hope to the Jewish people, reminding them that God was with them.

Today, our world also lacks peace. The news highlights struggles, whether from unrest, pandemics, or wars. This longing for a leader to restore order resonates with us as it did with God’s people.

On Christmas Eve, we will read St. Luke’s account of Jesus’s birth, in which shepherds receive the good news. Shepherds, often seen as the lowest members of society, were the first to hear the joyful news. That, in and of itself, highlights God’s love reaching out to the humble and offering peace to a chaotic world.

My message this morning has three points. First, the peace of Christ is for everyone. Second, peace is not the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of God. Third, God’s favor comes from being at peace with Him.

• From the very beginning of the Christmas story, we sense that the hope, peace, joy, and love that accompany the birth of Christ are gifts for everyone, including each of us. When an angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds, they respond with absolute terror, overwhelmed by the glory of the Lord shining in the night. Yet, the first words spoken to them are, “Do not be afraid.”

These words of peace resonate with us today. Do not be afraid, even when faced with pain. Do not be afraid, despite an unfavorable diagnosis. Do not be afraid as you strive to restore relationships. Do not be afraid amid the swirling anxieties that surround you. Why? Because the angel brings good news of great joy for all.

Many of us could use some good news today. If your spirit is troubled, seek the peace of Jesus. The arrival of Christ heralds good news: you have not been forgotten by God. He has come to be with you in your struggles. Born in the city of David, He is the Messiah and the Lord. He is in charge, He is King, and He is the one you have been waiting for.

• Which brings me to my second point. The peace that Jesus brings into our lives is not about the absence of trouble; rather, it is the innate confidence that we are never alone in our struggles. True peace is felt when we acknowledge the One who is faithful to walk alongside us, even in our most challenging times.

On that first Christmas morning, the angels delivered good news: a child was born in the town of David, destined to be a king who would truly bring peace. St. Luke draws from the prophetic promise in Isaiah, recalling a time when Israel experienced peace under King David. It was a period that every Israelite longed to see revived, often dubbed “the good ole days.”

Yet this time would be even more remarkable. The child found wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger was none other than the God of the universe, who chose to dwell among His people. This peace would come not from a mere mortal but from the divine. With this announcement, the good news ignites a chorus of joyous singing.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” (Luke 2:13–14)

• This leads me to my concluding thought. The Bible’s narrative powerfully illustrates that true peace isn’t found in our relationships or external circumstances. In the Book of Romans, we are reminded that the dominant force affecting us is the rule of sin, which breeds turmoil and strife within our hearts.

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:6–7)

When we find ourselves ensnared in sin, our spirits become at odds with God. Our unwillingness to submit to Him stems from the belief that we know better. Isn’t this the root of every conflict? Are we not damaging each other because we insist on our own understanding?

The birth of this promised king marks the arrival of a new rule for the entire world, including within each of our hearts. This baby grew into a man who willingly offered Himself on the cross as atonement for our sins. The peace we celebrate at Christmas comes from surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It reshapes our hearts and transforms us into friends of God. So, despite the chaos surrounding us, we can find solace and strength in the knowledge that we are made right with God through the blood of Jesus, who is always with us. His presence in our lives bestows upon us profound peace.

As we reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth during this Advent season, we are reminded that true peace comes from a deep relationship with God and the assurance of His presence in our lives. The peace of Christ transcends our circumstances, offering us a sense of calm and hope even amidst life’s storms.

His peace doesn’t mean that He eliminates conflict from our lives; rather, it’s the assurance that our Savior is with us during every trial we face. As we look forward to Christmas, let’s remember the promise of the “Prince of Peace,” who came to bring reconciliation—not only between God and humanity, but also among ourselves and, I would add, peace within our own hearts with ourselves.

As encouragers for Christ, we are to be messengers of this peace, sharing the good news that we are not alone in our struggles. Perhaps, one individual at a time, we can foster hope and goodwill, reflecting the love of Christ in a world that so desperately needs it.

I pray we each find our hearts steadfast in embracing this gift of peace and sharing it with those around us, especially during this special season of preparation.