“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.” – Isaiah 9:6.
The race has begun to get everything done. Just 8 more days until Christmas. Many of us are already stressing over how we are going to get it all done in such a short time. Tree trimming, present buying, gift wrapping, card writing, cookie baking, and on and on. Peace doesn’t seem to be part of the equation.
You’ll hear the word “peace” used all the time during the Christmas season. It’s a powerful word, in part because it’s something all of us want. We long for peace — peace with God, peace within, and peace with others. And here’s the good news of Christmas: Jesus came to Earth to give us peace. It starts with Jesus.
During advent we need to remember the words of Jesus: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Peace is not something to take for granted. Peace isn’t a place, Peace is a Person. Peace is not a place you escape to out of your everyday life, but a Person you walk with every day.
Finding peace is more than closing a door and turning on some soothing music or setting on the beach looking at the blue tranquil waters of the Gulf. If you find doing those things to find peace, you need to connect with the only true source of peace who shows us the way to live Christlike lives.
You are invited to know Him, the Prince of Peace. You are invited to lay down your cares for the present, regrets of the past, and fears for the future and live as a forgiven, born-again child of God. You are invited to come to Him and become an heir to His promises of hope, love, joy, and peace. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3)
Finding some peace is about living a life you don’t need to run from, but living a life you want to run into. You can have peace for this holiday season if you’ll turn wholly to God. You can have peace for the upcoming year if you’ll trust wholly in Him. You can know that God goes before you to prepare the way. All you need to do is listen to Him, trust Him, and obey Him. “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”- Colossians 3:15
True peace can only come from knowing Jesus Christ because He is peace.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think peace is talked about so much during the Christmas season but rarely achieved?
- How can we find peace this Advent season?