How can I have peace during the Holidays?

One of the major questions we wrestle with or think about during the Christmas season is this (whether we admit it or not)— “How can I actually have peace during Christmas? If Jesus came bringing peace…how can I actually have it, especially if I don’t feel very peaceful.

we sing it — “Peace on earth and mercy mild…God and sinners reconciled...”

why is this question asked...

Think of the dimensions:

For some of us, it’s personal…we are struggling, perhaps loss, grief, depression, trauma, bad memories of Christmas—and our souls—don’t feel very peaceful. It feels chaotic, stormy, hostile. and if you try to find solution-- If you google, “what is the best way to find peace, a list like this will appear...” ready for this: “Think positive.Practice meditation.Read at least twenty minutes a day.Relax your expectations.Give yourself time.Open your feelings with someone you trust.Take a walk.Listen to classical or ambient music. fall asleep to Pastor Rick’s sermon.” Does this list really give you peace? especially lasting peace...

There is a relational dimension—for some of you, holidays are not filled with sweet gatherings and a holly jolly Christmas. Instead, getting together with family can be tense. conflict. things unresolved or unsaid. certain looks. it feels chaotic in your family—and if anyone brings up Covid or politics, it can explode your family gathering. How can I have peace in my family during this time?

for others there is societal or world dimension—if Jesus came bringing peace, why is the world so divided?

Do you know how many major wars or conflicts are going on in the world right now? by major, averaging more than 10,000 deaths per year? Well according to Wikipedia 4—and one of those conflicts has been going on since 1978 in Afghanistan.

and in terms of wars (so not major ones)—where on average between 1,000 and 10,000 people die a year—do you know how many are going on—about 19—and one of those has been going on since 1948 in Myanmar.

they even have 2 more categories below wars called:

minor conflicts (100 - 999 deaths)

and skirmishes (less than 100)

there are currently 25 minor conflicts

and 12 skirmishes going on.

so add up major wars 4, wars: 19, minor conflicts: 25, and skirmishes 12—you have at least 60 areas of tension in the world that result in death regularly.

or just think about how divided our country is right now...

I saw a Pew research center poll. and they surveyed 18 different economically well off countries, and of those countries, those from the US scored highest in saying that we are the most divided country. “Nine-in-ten U.S. adults say there are conflicts between people who support different political parties, while an overall median of 50% say the same across all advanced economies surveyed. Similarly, about seven-in-ten Americans say there are conflicts between people with different ethnic or racial backgrounds in the U.S., more than all the other countries surveyed. As a comparison, only about a quarter in Singapore and Taiwan and a third in Spain say the same. On religious and urban-rural conflicts, the U.S. has the third-highest share saying there are conflicts in each case (50%). The only places where a larger share holds these views are France and South Korea.”

The Bible also talks about cosmic conflict—that we have a spiritual enemy, the devil, and his kingdom of darkness. He like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.

so how do we actually have peace during the holidays

—personally

—relationally

—globally

—cosmically

Look at these declarations of peace: (every time I get to the word “peace” I want you to say it)

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

6 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. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 57:20–21 NIV

20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. 21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

and now Luke 2: (Christmas story)

Luke 2:14 NIV

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Ephesians 2:13–15 NIV

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,

Ephesians 4:1–3 NIV

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

John 14:27 NIV

27 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.

how do we have real peace during the holidays...

4 areas — personally, relationally, globally, cosmically...

Let me show you a video resource—that looks at peace--

this is from a resource called The Bible Project

www.bibleproject.com

This video is part of their advent series.

It is an excellent resource

so what is peace:

absence of conflict

or presence of wholeness.

life is complex full of missing pieces and out of place—so you want it to be restored, and whole

and SHALOM in the Bible is about the presence of wholeness, fullness...

multi-faceted, where every part of our being is whole.

there can be a physical shalom where every part of our body is working

a mental and emotional shalom—joy and fulfillment and purpose

a communal or social shalom—where communities are healthy—schools, businesses, gov’t, churches are working together.

so how do we have peace...

personally...

relationally...

globally...

cosmically...

The answer:

Focus on peace with God first. (the personal part) (Hub)(the sun and everything orbits around that)

true shalom- at the center is about being right, being restored to God

and this answer may be different if you are a believer in Jesus

or a non-believer.

for instance, if you are a non-believer or not sure, the Bible says we don’t have peace with God. in fact, it describes us as enemies of God.

look at this Romans 8:7-8

Romans 8:7–8 NIV

7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

God made us for relationship with Him to enjoy Him, but at the core of our heart is a selfishness, and a self-absorption. You don’t believe it? Just ask someone who knows you well—do I ever struggle with self. The answer for all of us is yes.

The Bible says there is no one righteous before God, not even one.

and we read earlier—there is no peace for the wicked, that’s all of us without God. that we are like the waves constantly moving.

this is sin which disrupts our shalom with God, with others, adn self.

Don’t believe me?

where are you looking for peace and wholeness and shalom right now?

for some of us—we are looking for it in every place but God. money, sex, power, relationships, career. Is it working?

even if you claim to be a believer—sometimes we look to God—not for God himself but for what He can get us. God is a means to an end. It’s like we are a gold-digger with God - we married God for his money or blessing.

but here’s the good news—true peace—though we are enemies of God—He came to make us whole, to give us peace, true wholeness Him.

Jesus Christ came—incarnation—to live perfectly on our behalf, which we failed to do, and die for our sins in our place.

on the cross, He lost His peace, the Shalmo, as He bore the weight of our sin, so that we could have peace and be restored.

and when we confess our selfishness and put it in Jesus—He gives us peace with God—we are forgiven it’s a fact. and He also gives us an inner peace.

but warning:

doing this doesn’t always feel peaceful. To confess you are a sinner and turn from your sin—one theologian said it’s like pouring antiseptic on a wound; it stings! you have to come to grips with your sin, failings, or self-righteousness and pride (that’s painful).

but it does lead to peace

but also for Christians—there is also a reality that when you come to Christ—there is incredible peace—security. no longer do you have to prove yourself. your sins are forgiven—past, shame, regret, wrongdoings. to find meaning—you got it!

but it also leads to war. J.C. Ryle, famous Christian from 19th century—the child of God has 2 great marks about him—He may be known by his inward warfare—as well as by his inward peace.”

because you have to now die daily to yourself, take up your cross—there are days it feels like a battle. you have to fight you sin—by the power of the Spirit. You gain a whole new peace and also a whole new war between your old self and new self.

but it’s worth it. because Jesus lost his peace on the cross for you—so you could gain Christ.

look at Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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

If you focus on your relationship with God—for true peace…first to become a Christian, and 2nd—to make Him your identity—that is the core of our peace.

Peace with God will equip you for peace with others. (relational part)

because you have the vertical peace—it’s possible to have horizontal peace.

look at what Paul says about Jews and Gentiles (who didn’t always get along in the Bible):

Ephesians 2:13–14 NIV

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

Matthew 5:9 NIV

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

because of what Jesus has done—in coming—we realize a couple things:

all of us are sinners—whenever there is conflict with others—so that humbles us—and I tell you—when you are humbled, that makes a huge difference in relationships

it also lifts us up—so that our peace, our shalom, wholeness is in Jesus

think of your conflict:

#1 if you are struggling with feeling superior to the person “I am right” (and you may be) the good news of Jesus humbles us—that all of us are sinners—that all of us have blind spots

and if you are struggling with feeling inferior—the good news of Jesus lifts us up—He loves me. I am a dear child of God so we can have confrontation and truth and talk about it.

think of your enemies and what divides you—Jesus, being our peace, enables us to have peace with them—just like the Jews and Gentiles.

You can have peace with people different than you—other races and classes, family drama can be resolved.

but you also realize that conflict for following Christ is part of the cost....

Matthew 10:34–39 NIV

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

If they did it to Jesus, they will to you...

some of you are facing that right now…but cling to Jesus who faced rejection from man, his own people, from his disciples at times, from his own family..

all so you could have peace, shalom, wholeness with God.

how else do we have peace

3. Peace with God will help you understand our world better, too. (another planet orbiting the sun)

This world is very divided.

wars…lots of them.

division.

but we are not surprised.

Look at 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.”

you see we are not surprised at trouble in the world—because of sin.

sin continues to plague not just individuals, but communities, countries, our world…so we are not surprised.

God has certainly called us to go and be his agents of reconciliation by declaring that God is our peace through Christ on the cross, but also working to bring shalom in our workplaces, families, and governments and world....as Christians we are called to strengthen shalom by loving our neighbor, serving in Jesus’ power, being generous, but b/c of sin, there will always be some form of breakdown in our attempt to do this.

no matther how much we work for shalom in our families, our neighborhoods, communities, and world—there is a breakdown because of sin.

but we can take heart—but Jesus overcame it.

He lived

died

and rose triumphantly from the dead—conquering sin, conquering death—giving us a picture of what shalom looks like.

and He is going to come back a 2nd time to set everything right in the world.

now, you may ask well why is there still so much trouble.

why didn’t Jesus just make everything thing right in the world the first time he came?

when Jesus came—he came the first time to deal with our sin problem.

If he would have set everything right the first time—that would have been the end of us—b/c we deserved his perfect justice.

but no, he came and gave us the opportunity to be forgiven and set right with—so that when he does come the 2nd time—He can set the universe right without ending us.

so our peace with God gives us proper motivation to speak the good news of the Gospel of peace and to work for peace in our world realizing we won’t see perfect peace until Jesus comes. this motivates us not to give up—God changes things now but realize that there will be some struggle in this world until Jesus returns.

4. peace with God also gives us victory over the cosmic powers—like the kingdom of darkness.

1 Peter 5:7–8 NIV

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:9 NIV

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

we are very aware of Satan’s schemes.

but we are also very aware of what Jesus has already done to Satan.

In Jesus’ life, He resisted the devil—40 days in the wilderness, using the Sword of the Spirit.

Jesus never gave into sin and temptation.

and even on the cross, Jesus was defeating Satan in some way.

Colossians 2:15 NIV

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

One commentator says this:

NI Study bible: In the crucifixion God paradoxically did to the powers what they did to Christ when they dragged him through Jerusalem, stripped him naked, treated him with contempt, and nailed the charges against him on the cross. God stripped the “powers and authorities” of their power and exposed their weakness. Christ’s victory on the cross brings freedom from the tyranny of these alien forces. triumphing over them by the cross. Roman generals celebrated their victories by marching through the streets of Rome exhibiting the spoils of war and parading their captives. Paul’s metaphor of the victory parade (2 Cor 2:14; Eph 4:8) imagines the cross as the chariot in which Christ rode as a triumphant general. Paul may envision Christ’s vanquished foes trailing behind him in humiliating defeat.”

how did this victory happen--

look at the verse prior

Colossians 2:14 NIV

14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-jesus-disarmed-devil/

In the prior verses, Paul speaks about the “legal debt” sinners were under. Christ has now “set this aside” by “nailing it to the cross” (Col. 2:14). Because of this, no one can condemn us (Col. 2:16).

This is how Jesus has disarmed the powers. He has taken away Satan’s power to hold sinners to the debt of their sins and trespasses.

Indeed, accusation is the chief activity for Satan. He attempted to undermine God’s righteous verdict over Job (Job 1:9–10), stood ready to accuse Joshua the high priest (Zech. 3:1), and accused all believers before God day and night (Rev. 12:10). The power of sin is the law (1 Cor. 15:56), and Satan attempted to use the demands of the law to destroy God’s people. But Christ, in taking the law’s curse on himself (Gal. 3:13), has wrested this weapon from Satan.

He has disarmed him and triumphed over all the forces of evil precisely in his sacrificial death on the cross.

so are you hearing the voice of the accuser—look to your peace with God. preach your peace with God b/c of Jesus—Satan cannot hold that against you. b/c Jesus paid it all.

and one day Jesus will finish what he started

Romans 16:20 NIV

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

God will bring ultimate shalom over all the forces of evil

He promised back in the Garden of Eden that the snake’s head would be crushed. that day is coming.

so peace--

personally

relationally

globally

cosmically

He is the Prince of Peace—do you have it.

or rather do you have Him.

Let’s pray.

Ultimately Shalom is seen as God reconciling and restoring all things to Himself in Christ.

Colossians 1:19–20 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.

Colossians 3:13–15 NIV

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

bibleproject.com