Peace in the Heart of Christmas

The Heart of Christmas

Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons VII. Blessed Are the Serene (9)

Peace has been sought after as long as men have inhabited the earth, but it has always eluded them. Even in our modern society many call for peace, but it is never fully achieved. Every day upon this earth there is conflict, rebellion, war, and division. These are all character traits of sin and are tied directly to the fall of man.

The reason for Jesus’ birth is God’s deep desire to see his creation no longer broken and in conflict but rather restored and at peace. This divine path to peace began in an unlikely place amongst some unlikely characters, and that’s where we begin today.

The Christmas story in the Bible begins with an unexpected group of individuals. A host of heavenly angels delivered the first announcement of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem to a group of shepherds tending their flocks in the fields, ensuring their safety through the night.

Luke 2:8–14 “And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among men with whom he is pleased!””

Shepherds in first-century Israel were marginalized members of society, often seen as unclean, unkempt, and unreliable. They spent months in isolation, traveling with their flocks. For the original readers of the book of Luke, it would have been astonishing that God chose these unlikely individuals to receive such a momentous message.

The Peace of God is for All People

The angels reassured the frightened shepherds, urging them not to be afraid as they stood in awe of their heavenly presence. They brought joyful news: the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior promised to rescue God’s people, had been born. The angels revealed where to find Jesus, and before the shepherds began their search, a heavenly host declared, "Peace to those on whom God’s favor rests." With Jesus’ arrival, peace was being ushered into the world.

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. (ministry127.com)

What amazes me most is that when God chose to announce the arrival of His Son, He didn’t do so before kings or nobles. Instead, He revealed this news to the poor and forgotten. This truly is good news, for if God’s favor was extended to shepherds, then it is surely available to us as well.

This message addresses the world’s deepest need. Ever since sin entered creation, humanity has been at odds with God. The Bible describes us as enemies of God, living in rebellion against His authority. Sin not only fractured our relationship with God but also caused conflict with others and turmoil within ourselves. That’s why Jesus’ birth was, and remains, such profound good news. It is the ultimate solution to the brokenness caused by sin—restoring peace between us and God, reconciling us with others, and healing the struggles within our own hearts.

Paul captures this beautifully in his letter to the church in Colossae, emphasizing the role of Jesus in bringing this peace.

Colossians 1:19–22 “For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him,”

To grasp the peace ushered in at Christmas, we must recognize that although Jesus began His earthly journey in a cradle, it would ultimately lead to a cross. Jesus lived a sinless life with purpose and willingly gave Himself up through crucifixion. As Paul explained, it is through the blood of Jesus that peace is made between us and God. His sacrifice on the cross pays for our sins, satisfies God’s righteous anger toward sin, and breaks the power of evil in our lives. Reconciliation with God is the foundation for experiencing peace in every other aspect of life.

JESUS RECONCILES US TO GOD

When we accept the gift of forgiveness offered through faith, we are no longer estranged from God but become His friends. He provides His power to guide us through life’s challenges. However, being made right with God does not mean life will be free of struggles. As pastor and speaker Dr. Tony Evans puts it: “Peace does not mean you won’t have any problems. Peace means that your problems won’t have you.”

The peace offered to those on whom God’s favor rests does not equate to the absence of conflict. We may still have circumstances that don’t go our way or challenging relationships to navigate. What it does promise is the presence of God in our lives; and if He is with us, there is nothing we should fear. We can go to him for guidance and strength. We can lean on him when we get weary. He promises to bind up our wounds when we are hurt.

God desires for us to make peace with ourselves. Every past mistake, personal struggle, or worry for the future is met with the love and grace of God. We also make peace with others because of the forgiveness of God given to us. When we come to recognize the grace given to us, our hearts are transformed to offer grace to others.

As we approach Christmas, we journey through the season of Advent, a word derived from the Latin term meaning arrival. Jesus' first coming marked the arrival of God’s light into the world. Like the soft glow of a Christmas tree illuminating the night, the presence of God brings calm to our fears and steadiness to our hearts. During Christmastime, we also anticipate another advent still to come—a future day when Jesus will return and make all things right forever. His peace encompasses our past, strengthens us in the present, and assures us of hope for the future.

PEACE IS OUR PURPOSE

The world desperately needs people filled with God’s peace who are ready to share that peace with others. For followers of Jesus, this is not a suggestion but an expectation. Joining God in restoring and healing the world is central to our purpose. Jesus emphasized this in the Beatitudes, His most renowned sermon, calling His followers to live as agents of peace.

Matthew 5:9 ““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

The angels told the shepherds that peace was available to those on whom God’s favor rests. Jesus said something similar when he stated that peacemakers will be blessed, and they will be called children of God. When we are willing to seek reconciliation with others and fight for harmony rather than sowing dissension, we are identified with the heart of God who longs to reconcile the world to himself. We look like the Father, and we are recognized as children in his family. We find peace at the heart of Christmas because God desires us to be in right relationship with him, with ourselves, and with others. It is the very reason for which Jesus came to earth.

Conclusion

There are many people who do not value peace in their relationships, and so they live in a constant state of conflict. Some people are looking for a fight because they aren’t in one. It reminds me of what Linus said to Charlie Brown in a Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown was having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit, and Linus observed, “Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.”

Unfortunately, this is the outcome for people who believe Christmas is about other things besides hope, peace, joy, and love. This Christmas may we be people who embrace the gift offered to us through Jesus who died for us so we might live in right relationship with God, ourselves, and others.