Peace in the Heart of Christmas

I’ve told this story before. I like it so much that I wanted to tell it again.

On Christmas Eve night 1914 something amazing happened. Something that still has the world scratching its head. It was at the beginning of WWI and there was a fierce battle going on in Belgium between the French and the English on one side and the Germans on the other. The battle had reached a stalemate, and each side had bunkered down and dug trenches. They were about 60-80 yards apart from one another and the space between was called No Man’s Land because no one could venture there and survive.

It’s estimated that over 100,000 troops were involved in this battle and these trenches went on for miles. The conditions were horrible, and both sides had lost thousands of lives. There were bodies scattered all over No Man’s Land because if someone tried to retrieve them, they would be shot.

As Christmas approached, the Germans started decorating some of the trees around their bunkers with candles. On Christmas Eve both sides were settled down on their respective sides and some of the British were playing their bagpipes and singing some of their favorite pub songs, which no doubt brought them some sense of comfort being so far away from home and in the middle of war on Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, on the other side, some of the Germans began to sing one of their country’s most beloved Christmas carols, Silent Night, and after singing it through several times, something incredible happened. The French and British joined in on the familiar tune. Unbelievably, that night led to a ceasefire that lasted until New Year’s Day. On Christmas Day, each side helped the other bury their dead and over that next week they celebrated Christmas together, they played soccer together; they gathered around the same campfires and told stories and laughed long into the night.

It was a holy night. Neither side could have seen a week of peace being born out of the singing of a Christmas carol, and yet, that is exactly what happened. A song about the birth of a baby in Bethlehem who would bring peace on earth, brought peace to a war-torn battlefield and, for a handful of hours, turned enemies into friends.

This morning we want to look at peace, because when we think about Christmas, we see that peace is at the heart of Christmas. Just as we talked about hope at the heart of Christmas last week, Peace is at the heart of Christmas as well.

Where Did God Make His News Known First?

It was in an unlikely place, with an unlikely group of people. Luke has the story in chapter 2.

Luke 2:8–14 NIV

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The occupation of shepherd was a lowly occupation. This group was a group of outcasts. They weren’t allowed in the city. They weren’t trusted by the general public because they often were thieves. And there is a reason that Luke tells this story. Jesus would come, not to the proud and powerful, but to the outcasts, the humble, those considered “last” on the social lists. To these men God brought the first news of his Son’s arrival.

The message brought to them was a message of peace. It was a message of peace that was for all people.

We live a world today that is a place full of anger, rage, and violence. People are fighting against one another. People are trying to run each other over. People are looking for revenge. They want to destroy one another. But God has come to bring peace and that is what is at the center of Christmas, peace.

And peace was declared on that night to the most unlikely group that didn’t understand peace.

I think it is interesting to note that in one survey, nearly one-third of those questioned said that of all the people mentioned in the Christmas story, they identified the most with the shepherds. The shepherds were average, ordinary people and yet were invited to see the birth of the king of kings.

And isn’t it amazing that God didn’t announce the arrival of his son to kings and queens, but he announced it to the poor and lowly shepherds.

But that’s good news for us. Because if God’s favor was offered to the shepherds, then surely God’s favor and peace is available to us as well.

We all need peace in our life. We all need the peace of God in our life.

Since the beginning of time, when sin entered the world and it affected all of creation, we have been at odds with God. The Bible says we were enemies of God.

Romans 5:10 (NIV)

10 For if, while we were God’s enemies...

Sin did not stop there at just separating us from God. Sin also caused us to be in conflict with one another and even ourselves. And it is because of this that Jesus birth is such good news.

There is this brokenness between us and God and us and others and us and ourselves and we need Jesus to come and be born and eventually die to break the curse of sin and it is through the birth of Jesus that peace and come and we can be reunited with God through the peace that Jesus brings.

Look at how Paul says it to the church at Colossae.

Colossians 1:19–22 NIV

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

In order to perfectly understand peace being ushered in at Christmas time, we must understand that, although Jesus arrived in a cradle, his life would lead to a cross.

Jesus lived a sinless life and He willingly offered His life through crucifixion.

In Verse 20

Colossians 1:20 NIV

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Paul says that it is the blood of Jesus Christ that makes peace between us and God.

How?

The only way that sin could be paid for was the blood of an innocent lamb. That lamb would have to be sacrificed. So, when Christ went to the cross, He became the sacrificial lamb. Therefore, Christ’s sacrifice paid for the sin that we committed. That sacrifice appeased God’s anger toward sin, and it destroys the power of evil in our lives.

So, when we are being reconciled to God, we are experiencing peace with God.

And let me say this, just because you have peace with God doesn’t mean that you won’t face any difficulties. Jesus tells us in John 16:33

John 16:33 NIV

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus didn’t say with peace you won’t have trouble. As a matter of fact He used both words in the same sentence. In Jesus you have peace and in the world you will have trouble. He just gives us some encouragement at the end of this verse. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

I like what Dr. Tony Evans says...

“Peace does not mean you won’t have problems. Peace means that your problems won’t have you.” - Dr. Tony Evans

We will still have troubles in this world. But with the peace of God we can navigate those troubles much better.

It is so important that we make peace with ourselves. Don’t let your past define who you are in the future. The day you asked Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life was the day that peace came into your life. You don’t have to worry about the sins of the past. Jesus is walking beside you and He will help you get through those things.

You may hear people talk about Christmas being the season of advent.

Advent - Latin word meaning arrival.

Jesus’ first coming was the arrival of God’s light of the world.

We have our Christmas tree in our living room. I love sitting in the room with just the light of the Christmas tree. It is so peaceful.

John tells us that Jesus is the light that came. The light, Jesus, came to bring peace.

There is another advent that we are patiently awaiting. Jesus will come again and that gives us a peace that we can live for.

So, here is what we know.

Jesus Peace Covers our Past, Meets us in our Present, and is a Promise for the Future.

So, what are we to do as we wait for the next advent?

The world we live in needs what all of us believers have, the peace of God. They need the peace of God in their hearts. We must become people who are willing to share that peace of God with those around us.

As believers we need to be about making peace. There is enough hate and condemnation in this world. As believers, we need to bring hope and peace to this world, especially this time of year, when people are needing it more than ever.

Remember what Jesus said in his most famous sermon ever.

Matthew 5:9 NIV

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

The best way for us to show peace to this world is by showing the world the love of Jesus. It is through Jesus that we have peace.

There is a lot of fighting and bickering going on. Many people don’t value peace in their relationships. They live in a constant state of conflict. Have you ever met those people that are just looking for a fight? They just are satisfied unless they are fighting.

Has anyone watched Charlie Brown Christmas this year yet? This reminds me of something that Linus says. If you remember Charlie Brown is having trouble getting in the spirit of Christmas. Linus says to him, “Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.”

This is so true for people in our world today. We have people that believe Christmas is about other things besides hope, peace, joy and love.

So, do me a favor this Christmas. Let’s make peace the heart of Christmas by sharing peace with those around us.

This morning I want us to come together and sing a special Christmas song - Silent Night.