Hi. Just 14 days until Christmas now. So I want to remind you of that ever-so-elusive, yet always Christmassy, idea of peace. Peace means different things to different people at different times. Sometimes it’s a greeting, like shalom. Other times, it means the absence of fighting. Sometimes it means a person’s relationships are healthy. And then, it could also mean a sense of overall wellness. I’m sure we could go on.
The attractiveness of peace is kind of funny. Everyone seems to like the idea of peace, but do we work very hard to get it? Seriously, do you? I mean, do you fill up your life with activities and expenses and then talk about a lack of peace as if there’s just nothing you can do about it? Do you always have to get in the last word with people and then wonder why your relationships are less than peaceful? Do you watch doomsayer news all the time and then can’t help but feel suspicious of everyone? Or maybe you’re the kind of person who is so insistent about what’s best that you’re willing to riot to force others into peace. I guess that last one’s a bit over the top. But my point is, with at least some forms of peace, there is something you can do about it.
Last week, I wrote about hope as belief that waits. That is, waiting is built into hope; it’s a part of it. You don’t hope for something you already have. But what about peace? Peace is something you can enjoy now, even while aspiring to greater peace in the future. Again, different things at different times. Some peace depends on you. Some depends on others. All peace depends on God.
In Your Relationships
The Bible acknowledges that you can’t always have peaceful relationships with others. But it also gives us the responsibility to try. If we want to build a better, more blessed world to live in, then one way is to seek peaceful relationships.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18, ESV)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, ESV)
“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19, ESV)
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31–32, ESV)
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11, ESV)
In Your Personal Life
Personal peace comes from the knowledge that you have relationship with God through the work of Jesus. Where there was once hostility between us and God, Jesus has reconciled us through his death and resurrection.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1–2, ESV)
Then, once our eternal standing before God is settled, we can experience peace as often as we want. Prayer, thanksgiving, the right focus and practice will result in greater personal peace. At least, it seems that way when I read this:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:6–9, ESV, emphasis mine)
Christmas Peace
As I said, all peace depends on God because Jesus came to become peace for us. He’s not just a good example for us, and he’s not just a good teacher. He is the one—the messiah—through whom peace is possible. And Christmas is a celebration of the peace made possible in human lives because Jesus came as one of us. The baby of peace was born to make a way of peace that we could experience peace now in part, and forever in full.
“For unto 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 baby 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 those with whom he is pleased!”” (Luke 2:11–14, ESV)
Merry Christmas!