Peace

Advent is a time of preparation. It helps us prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits for the true meaning of Christmas. Advent includes the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and points us to the hope, peace, joy and love that the birth of Jesus brings. Today we’re looking at Week 2 – Peace (Check out “Week 1 – Hope” here).

The Bible points to peace some 200+ times.

One of the main Christmas stories we hear of is when the angels appear to the shepherds and proclaim, “Peace on earth”(Luke 2:13-14). And so we see another example of the Savior Jesus bringing peace. This peace however doesn’t come how it was expected to come. Many of the people at that time expected and looked for rebellion against the Romans. They wanted the Savior to bring peace by defeating those who had been so oppressive to them. They thought violence and revenge would be what happened when the Savior came.

But, Jesus had a different kind of peace in mind. He had a peace that transcended all understanding.

To name a few, Biblical Peace brings:

1. An inner peace - John 14:27
2. An outer peace…pushes for a peace with others - Galatians 3:28
3. A peace that guards hearts - Philippians 4:7
4. A peace that brings joy - Proverbs 12:20
5. A peace that brings blessing from God - Psalm 29:11
6. A peace that brings assistance and strength through difficult times - Isaiah 54:10

This peace offers us security in the now and the future, that someday we’ll meet him face to face (Hebrews 11).

May we let hope, peace, joy and love be born anew in our lives this Christmas.