“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.”
Isaiah 9:6
“Peace on Earth” is such a part of Christmas that we are likely to see it in shop windows and on Christmas cards almost as frequently as “Merry Christmas,” or “Happy Holidays.”
The promise of peace on earth sounds great because we know we don’t have it. We know it’s missing, and we long for it. But what would peace look like, on earth and in our lives? Does it simply mean the absence of war? People and nations often are still angry with each other without fighting. Peace can mean calmness or tranquility, in our circumstances or in our hearts. But is that enough when every part of the world around us is tainted by sin?
Ultimately, any conflict, dissension, or disharmony—any lack of peace—is the result of things being out of conformity to God’s will. Peace, then, means restoring things to the way they should be—God’s way. Only then will we know the completeness, the soundness, the safety and welfare of His peace. And only Jesus, the Son of God, can do this. It’s why He came to the world and to us as the Prince of Peace.
The promise of peace on earth sounds great because we know we don’t have it. We know it’s missing, and we long for it. But what would peace look like, on earth and in our lives? Does it simply mean the absence of war? People and nations often are still angry with each other without fighting. Peace can mean calmness or tranquility, in our circumstances or in our hearts. But is that enough when every part of the world around us is tainted by sin?
Ultimately, any conflict, dissension, or disharmony—any lack of peace—is the result of things being out of conformity to God’s will. Peace, then, means restoring things to the way they should be—God’s way. Only then will we know the completeness, the soundness, the safety and welfare of His peace. And only Jesus, the Son of God, can do this. It’s why He came to the world and to us as the Prince of Peace.
Scripture Focus
Luke 2:8-14
Insight
“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36)
Bible In A Year
- Micah 1-4
- Proverbs 22
- Jude
