Peace at Christmas

In the 1st Advent, the Messiah came to bring Peace to His people ()

Explanation: Isaiah gave several prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah. One well-know prophecy is found in where the prophet proclaims the Eternality of Christ along with aspects of His office. The Eternal nature is seen in the wording of a child is born (the beginning of the Incarnation when God took on flesh) and to us a son is given (not created, but given in a new sense)

The Eternal nature is seen in the wording of a child is born (the beginning of the Incarnation when God took on flesh) and to us a son is given (not created, but given in a new sense)

The Prophet was given an understanding of the Nature of the Messiah in that He would be a Counselor, a Head of Government, and the Mighty God Himself. In addition, the Messiah is termed the Prince of Peace. Looking back at the destruction of the Temple in 70AD, the anti-semitism of the ages, along with the Holocaust, one might think the prophet missed on this particular category.

Argument: It is helpful to understand the biblical meaning of peace

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology The Meaning of Peace

The Meaning of Peace. In English, the word “peace” conjures up a passive picture, one showing an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from internal and external strife. The biblical concept of peace is larger than that and rests heavily on the Hebrew root slm, which means “to be complete” or “to be sound.” The verb conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning—“to be complete or whole” or “to live well.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Peace

Peace. Total well-being, prosperity, and security associated with God’s presence among his people. Linked in the OT with the covenant, the presence of peace, as God’s gift, was conditional upon Israel’s obedience. In prophetic material, true peace is part of the end-time hope of God’s salvation. In the NT, this longed-for peace is understood as having come in Christ and able to be experienced by faith.

It is also helpful to understand the prophetic voices of the OT were not clear on the depth of the message. That is to say, the Prophets did not usually indicate the gap of time between certain aspects of their declarations. For us, we can see that full prophetic message (The Prince of Peace) has 2nd Advent applications.

Application: We can trust God’s Word. Even if the world points to a lack of peace as an indicator that God’s Word is false, we can maintain our peace from the basis of the Word, and remain free from anxiety.

Even though the word system is far from peaceful, God’s people can have peace in the midst of conflict (; )

Explanation: The absence of conflict will await the Return of the King when He sets up His Eternal Kingdom on Earth. Until then, believers are called to faithful living in the times between the Advents. While the faithful Christian life is multi-faceted, one aspect is surely living at peace within our surroundings and circumstances.

Illustrate: Y2K and the anxiety amongst some believers. Some Bible teachers (Chuck Misler, for one) predicted it was the final sign and the beginning of the Eschaton.

Argument: Until Jesus returns there are always going to be global crises. There will always be a Russia, a North Korean dictator, middle eastern terrorists, and other senseless acts of violence. These are symptoms of a sin-sick society that is in desperate need of the Savior! As believers we are called to minister to, and share the Gospel with such folk.

One avenue of preparation not to be overlooked is how we handle stress and anxiety. When we do as Isaiah proclaimed and keep our focus on Christ (), He will give us the peace we need. When we fully rely and depend on the One who came in the manger, He will guide our feet in the way of peace ()

This may seem small to us, but someone else is generally watching and observing how we live our lives as believers. While only God can save, He has designed our lives as believers to showcase His glory. When we are faithful, the lost world sees the glory of the Prince of Peace reflected in us, and God uses that to draw others to Himself.