The Star: The Journey to Peace

Introduction:

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This morning we have been ablet o enjoy such a beautiful time with our children presenting the message of Christmas to us all. So thankful for the peace that has been given to my heart and I am sure yours by this message from these precious little ones. This presentation or any presentation where children are in the forefront presenting the message of Christ does my heart good. These boys and girls are the shining light of life in our lives and sure are a special gift to the church. The star was the shining light that led people to the Messiah.

The Star: A Journey of Peace

[Show Peace Bumper video.]

That Star of Bethlehem briefly mentioned in Matthew’s account of the Christmas story drew those wise seekers from afar to the Savior thousands of years ago. It must have led them over rough routes and smooth ones, through easy passages and ones

[Optional: Show the Kids’ Advent Series promotional video. If the children

in your church will be doing the lessons based on the major motion picture The

Star, you may also want to show the weekly movie clip for the whole

congregation to enjoy together.]

That Star of Bethlehem briefly mentioned in Matthew’s account of the Christmas story drew those wise seekers from afar to the Savior thousands of years ago. It must have

as we have journeyed together toward Christmas. If you’ve been with us

throughout Advent, you know that the word advent is a version of a Latin term

meaning “coming.” And these four weeks leading up to Christmas have been our

opportunity to look forward with great expectation to the coming of Christ as we

have embarked on a journey of hope, love, joy, and peace.

The star has been our guide as we’ve journeyed onward. That Star of

Bethlehem briefly mentioned in Matthew’s account of the Christmas story drew

those wise seekers from afar to the Savior thousands of years ago. It must have

led them over rough routes and smooth ones, through easy passages and ones

that appeared difficult with no way to cross.

It remained before them as they undoubtedly encountered friends and fellow travelers and as they sat in the company of deceptive and powerful people like King Herod.

undoubtedly encountered friends and fellow travelers and as they sat in the

So this morning we are going to look to peace as we focus on our last Sunday of Advent. What does peace mean to you?

company of deceptive and powerful people like King Herod. Through all the

circumstances and surprises of their journey, the star never faltered or failed. It

Sweet silence when the kids are into bed and the end of the day is winding down?

faithfully pointed the way to Jesus. So together we continue to look for the light

Alone time? Me time?

today as we follow the star on a journey of peace.

When I think of peace, I am often reminded of the well-known hymn “It Is

Well with My Soul.” The old song is loved by so many because of its message:

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“When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

When sorrows like sea billows roll /

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul.”

The song portrays such strength and steadfast trust. But the song has

The song portrays such strength and steadfast trust. But the song has

also become famous and more revered for the story behind the words.

History behind the song:

Horatio Spafford was a businessman in Chicago in 1873. After already losing one child to pneumonia, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him on a ship to

Spafford was a businessman in Chicago in 1873. After already losing one child to

pneumonia, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him on a ship to

Europe. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank, and all four of his

children died. He got a message from his wife that she had survived, and he left

on the next available ship to go and meet her.

During his journey, near the place his daughters had died, Spafford penned the words to the song. The painful circumstances he faced make the lyrics all the more powerful.

his daughters had died, Spafford penned the words to the song. The painful

The words were not written by someone who was enjoying an easy life but by one who found peace—deep, authentic peace—in the midst of heartache.

circumstances he faced make the lyrics all the more powerful. The words were

not written by someone who was enjoying an easy life but by one who found

peace—deep, authentic peace—in the midst of heartache.

Our definition of peace may be really different than the one from this illustration.

Yet, when we think of peace, we often think of the absence of hardship,

trouble, violence, and fear.

As the hymn so beautifully captures, this journey of peace is not immune from those things. In fact, they are central to the story.

peace is not immune from those things. In fact, they are central to the story. On

On this journey we learn that peace is not the absence of trouble but rather the

this journey we learn that peace is not the absence of trouble but rather the

presence of God.

What pain are you facing this season?

What struggles are weighing you down?

down? What anxiety and stress are stirring up chaos in your spirit? Maybe those

What anxiety and stress are stirring up chaos in your spirit?

Maybe those pressures and problems are external; maybe they are internal battles.

pressures and problems are external; maybe they are internal battles. Either

What has this year been like for you and your family?

way, they can feel just as real. Either way, are you willing to open your heart to

God’s peace even in the midst of your struggles?

This journey of peace is certainly an appropriate journey for our world

today. Just as the ancient Roman world must have felt during that first Christmas,

our world seems full of violence and warfare and uncertainty. And the pressures

of our daily lives push us at an unparalleled pace. Ours is a world in desperate

need of peace!

This morning I need to remind us of this truth, the Prince of Peace has walked this world and understood. He has come, and He is present. His peace is available to us today.

understood. He has come, and He is present. His peace is available to us today.

Let’s take a look at this more closely.

Let’s take a look at this more closely.

1. Peace in the Midst

Peace in the Midst

He gives me peace in the midst of the storms of my life

He’s an anchor, He’s a rock to build my faith upon

With Christ in my vessel I feel no alarm

He gives me peace in the midst of the storm.

How do you picture that night Jesus was born?

So many images and songs during this time of year focus on a picture of “silent night”—a peaceful moment when all was calm and bright.

songs focus on a picture of “silent night”—a peaceful moment when all was calm

and bright. But if such a moment occurred on that first Christmas, it was probably

But if such a moment occurred on that first Christmas, it was probably

a very fleeting moment.

Mary gave birth in an animal shelter.

The city of Bethlehem was overflowing with hordes of people who had arrived after many dusty miles on rough, dangerous roads by foot and by livestock.

Bethlehem was overflowing with hordes of people who had arrived after many

Visitors started arriving to visit the new baby within hours of His unsanitized birth. Then King Herod was in angry pursuit.

dusty miles on rough, dangerous roads by foot and by livestock. Visitors started

arriving to visit the new baby within hours of His unsanitized birth. Then King

Herod was in angry pursuit.

And don’t forget the company of angels rejoicing and worshiping with

abandon.

It’s no wonder an angel had to tell the shepherds first not to be afraid

and then assure them they brought a message of peace:

Luke 2:13–14 NIV

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

“Suddenly a great

company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his

favor rests’” ().

There was noise and hurt and pain and struggle and fear that first

Christmas.

And yet there was great joy and deep peace of the highest order.

Sound familiar?

Our journey of peace this season is not one separated from the realities of life but a journey of peace in the midst of life with all its noise and chaos.

from the realities of life but a journey of peace in the midst of life with all its noise

and chaos.

Recording artist Andrew Peterson has a song called “The Rain Keeps

Falling” that beautifully illustrates this state of peace within the storms of life.

[Optional: Play or have the song performed during the service.]

The lyrics contain a long and honest confession of so many struggles and

interjected into and over them come the words Jesus spoke: “Peace. Be still.”

The result is a powerful picture of the reality of peace in the midst of life in a

fallen world. It is a message that can make you catch your breath or choke you

up as the words wash over you.

This morning during the midst of planning, parties, celebrations we need to pause and feel the peace of this sacred time of year.

We need to acknowledge the fact that our lives are far from peaceful and the eternal peace promised at Christ’s second coming is still not realized. But as we let the

let’s acknowledge the fact that our lives are far from peaceful and the eternal

peace promised at Christ’s second coming is still not realized. But as we let the

words of Jesus wash over us and through us, He brings His calming message to

our spirits like soothing water.

Peace. Be still.

Jesus brings peace right into the center of our hurt and frantic striving.

And He brings the power to cease the noise, calm the storm, and overwhelm our

hearts with His restorative sense of perfect peace. He is indeed the Prince of

Peace.

Prince of Peace

The prophet Isaiah’s words reveal something very important about peace:

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isa.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his

shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting

Father, Prince of Peace” ().

Peace is not just a feeling or a state of being.

Peace is a person.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

the Prince of Peace. Throughout Jesus’s life and teaching we see that peace

Throughout Jesus’s life and teaching we see that peace comes from the person of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit—God’s presence with us.

comes from the person of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit—God’s presence

By sending His Son, God sent peace into the world.

with us. By sending His Son, God sent peace into the world. When we abide with

When we abide with Him, we abide with peace. And as we abide with peace, we learn to trust God with the unpeaceful parts of our lives, and we find ourselves transformed within.

Him, we abide with peace. And as we abide with peace, we learn to trust God

with the unpeaceful parts of our lives, and we find ourselves transformed within.

In the midst of all that was happening that first Christmas, we are told that

Luke 2:19 NIV

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

“Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” ().

On the surface, Mary’s life had not become more peaceful. If anything, things got

even crazier with the announcement of her miraculous pregnancy and the birth of

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a new baby. But Mary was learning to trust the One who was in control.

If you take nothing away from this message this morning please hear this:

When we can surrender our control—stop worrying, stop planning, stop striving—to the Prince of Peace, we can find rest in Him.

can surrender our control—stop worrying, stop planning, stop striving—to the

The inner and outer chaos, anxiety, noise, and busyness of life may not change, but we can experience peace because we trust the One in control.

Prince of Peace, we can find rest in Him. The inner and outer chaos, anxiety,

noise, and busyness of life may not change, but we can experience peace

because we trust the One in control.

Where do you need to surrender and enter the journey of peace this

season?

Let me encourage you to encounter the peace of Christ by taking the

psalmist’s words to heart:

Psalm 46:10 NIV

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Such stillness can be a precious commodity in this busy Christmas season, but even a short pause can allow us to breathe deeply and connect with Jesus Himself, the

“Be still, and know that I am God” (). Such

stillness can be a precious commodity in this busy holiday season, but even a

short pause can allow us to breathe deeply and connect with Jesus Himself, the

source of our peace.

That may mean pausing, even briefly, at the start of your day to read the

guiding words of Scripture and to converse with God to align your day. But it may

also mean pausing during your workday or in the middle of the shopping mall to

breathe deeply and repeat some words from the Bible as a reminder and a

realigner. Perhaps to repeat the message “Peace; be still” and let its truth wash

over your troubled or hurried mind as it tunes your attention to the speaker, the

source of our peace, Jesus.

Peace for the World

Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, and we can abide in Him and

experience peace in our souls. But we know that peace doesn’t always come to

the world around us.

Looking at our world today we realize how desperate our world is for peace.

As we look around our world and read the daily news, we

realize how desperate our world is for peace. Countries are at war. Refugees are

Countries are at war.

Refugees are far from home.

far from home. Our neighbors are hurting. There is violence in our schools. There

Our neighbors are hurting.

There is violence in our schools.

There is anger in our families.

is anger in our families. We continue to live in the place of tension between the

We continue to live in the place of tension between the past, present, and future—that place in a broken world still churning and reeling until God completes His restoration.

past, present, and future—that place in a broken world still churning and reeling

Against that setting, our path may not look much like a journey of peace even as we look toward and near Christmas.

until God completes His restoration. Against that setting, our path may not look

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Jesus has brought peace to the world with His arrival. He continues to fill us with peace through His Spirit, but it is not until He comes again that our world will experience complete and perfect peace.

much like a journey of peace even as we look toward and near Christmas. Jesus

has brought peace to the world with His arrival. He continues to fill us with peace

through His Spirit, but it is not until He comes again that our world will experience

complete and perfect peace.

Yet this is where the peace we experience now can shine the brightest—because it doesn’t always make sense against the surrounding circumstances.

brightest—because it doesn’t always make sense against the surrounding

The Bible tells us God’s peace is beyond understanding.

circumstances. The Bible tells us God’s peace is beyond understanding. And yet

And yet we are encouraged to draw close to God and to rely on Him for His peace.

we are encouraged to draw close to God and to rely on Him for His peace.

tells us,

Philippians 4:6–7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It doesn’t make sense—it transcends understanding. It is too good to be contained by the limits of this world.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every

situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts

Its reality is even better. When we abide in the Prince of Peace and come to Him in prayer in every situation, His peace flows over us to settle and guard our hearts and

and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It doesn’t make sense—it transcends

understanding. It is too good to be contained by the limits of this world. Its reality

is even better. When we abide in the Prince of Peace and come to Him in prayer

in every situation, His peace flows over us to settle and guard our hearts and

minds.

Maybe this is the paradox of prayer. So often we come to God asking Him

to change our circumstances or those around us.

Sometimes He does, but more often, He changes our hearts and perspectives.

often, He changes our hearts and perspectives. As we pour out our hearts and

As we pour out our hearts and connect with Him, we are able to see a little more like He does, to trust more confidently in His ability to handle things no matter what, and to settle in the peace of His goodness and faithfulness—to tap into that sense that it’s all going to be okay no matter what, one way or another, because He’s holding us.

connect with Him, we are able to see a little more like He does, to trust more

confidently in His ability to handle things no matter what, and to settle in the

peace of His goodness and faithfulness—to tap into that sense that it’s all going

to be okay no matter what, one way or another, because He’s holding us.

That sense of understanding, of calm and acceptance, acts like a guard

around our hearts and minds. It’s the gift of peace that Jesus promised when He

left the earth.

John 14:27 NIV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,” He told His

disciples. “I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be

troubled and do not be afraid” ().

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Those weren’t just empty words. They were rooted in reality—a deeper

reality than the harsh conditions facing Jesus’s followers at the time and the ones

He knew would come. Jesus knew there was a lot to fear. From the threats of

Herod to His death by crucifixion, Jesus spent His whole life with people out to

kill him. He knew there was much suffering in store for His followers.

Yet He told His disciples—and us—not to be afraid.

His disciples—and us—not to be afraid. Why? Because He knows the end of the

Why? Because He knows the end of the story.

story. He knows that no matter what troubles us and causes us fear now, in the

He knows that no matter what troubles us and causes us fear now, in the

end, His peace will overcome all. It will sustain us through our difficulties, which

may be great but are also momentary in the light of eternity.

Know this we can experience peace because we know the One we

and for our world, and we can experience peace because we know the One we

put our trust in. He is faithful and true. His peace was prophesied long before His

arrival:

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

As we have seen, He delivered to us His unfailing promise as the Prince of Peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you” (). As we have seen, He delivered to us His

unfailing promise as the Prince of Peace.

As we end our time together today, let’s pause and soak in Jesus’s words:

Peace. Be still.

Let those words wash over you as you repeat them to yourself. The Prince

of Peace has come, and He is coming again. And in the meantime, He gives us

this message: Peace. Be still.

Prayer:

Prince of peace be Lord of our lives. Take complete control. Show yourself faithful once again. We need a quietness in our spirit. We need to feel your perfect peace.

lives, You invite us into Your peace. Help us to abide with the Prince of Peace

and to rest in the peace that comes from trusting in You. Give us the courage to

trust You with our lives and with the situations we see in the world around us. Fill

us with Your peace. Keep us in Your perfect peace. Let it continually restore us

and draw us to Yourself. And let us bring Your peace into the often-chaotic world

around us. Amen.

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Benediction: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face

shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give

you peace.” ()