Tag Archives: prince of peace

The Christmas gift of peace

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And he will be called “The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

 

I love Christmas Eve. I love it when work stops, the presents are wrapped, preparations are completed, and the hectic pace of the holiday part of Christmas slows down. And for a moment, there is peace.

 

Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright.

 

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We know that He came to the world to bring us peace, a peace that transcends all understanding. He offers a peace that is different from what the world offers, a peace that overcomes our troubles. It’s the calm that remains in us even when the storm rages around us. It’s the confidence that our circumstances don’t define who we are. It isn’t the false peace of this world but a real peace that permeates our life and overflows onto others around us.

 

Jesus brings us peace so that we can bring peace to others. He calls us to be peacemakers in a world of warring relationships.

 

Sometimes Christmas gatherings are anything but peaceful. Too often they are marked by the busyness of preparations, the chaos of excitement or sadly, the bitterness of conflict. How can we be peacemakers in these and other situations?

 

Exhibit humility and gentleness. (Ephesians 4:2)

 

Put others first (Philippians 2:3-4). This sometimes means overlooking when others are inconsiderate to us.

 

Be patient and wise. (Proverbs 19:11) Strive to maintain relationships more than differences of opinion.

 

Avoid unnecessary quarrels. (Proverbs 17:14) Learn to appreciate others who think differently from you. It’s not your job to change everyone to think just like you. Our job is to shine a helping light, not to blind them with our insisting ways. It’s God’s job to change people.

 

Let love be your guide. (1 Peter 4:8) Love covers a multitude of sins.

 

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32).

 

Don’t let annoyances and conflicts ruin your Christmas. Receive the Christmas gift of peace that the Prince of Peace offers you and BE the gift of peace to others.

 

 

Wise men still seek him

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A young southern child was visiting his northern relatives one Christmas. Looking at their nativity display, he told them that the wise men were firemen. “Why would you think that?” his northern relatives asked. “Because it says in the bible that they came from a far!” he replied. (‘Fire’ sounds a lot like ‘far’ in his region of the country.)

 

We probably have a lot of misunderstandings about these visitors bearing famous gifts. We don’t know for sure where they came from, who they were, or even how many came to set eyes on the child of God. Traditionally, we include figures representing three wise men in the nativity scene along with the manger, Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and all the rest. But most likely, they arrived much later, maybe even a couple of years later.

 

What we do know for sure is that they purposefully and intentionally sought after Jesus. And wise men still seek Him. Do you?

 

Wise men (and women) follow Him whatever the cost.

 

Their lives are marked by His light that shines in their lives.

 

They are compelled to focus their journey on discovering Him.

 

Despite their status, they bow before Him and exalt Him.

 

More than anything else, their lives are measured by faithfulness and praise.

 

The gift of Christmas wisdom allows wise men to still seek Jesus, not just the sweet little baby, but The Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Prince of peace.

 

Wise men still seek Him. Will you?

 

 

Peace right now

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No Jesus – No peace.

Know Jesus – Know peace.

 

“My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart not be troubled. Neither let it be afraid.”  (John 14:27)

 

Jesus was talking with his followers shortly before the end of His physical ministry on earth. He was encouraging them by promising them God would send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to remind and teach them all they needed to enter into God’s presence and His peace. (Words for us today!)

 

How valuable to you is peace? I can assure you that the more turmoil there is in your life, the more you will long for some peace. If your body is torn apart by disease – or by the effects of the cure – you will long for peace. If your mind is constantly in a whirlwind, always jumping from one worry to another, trying to find an escape from sorrow and pain, you will seek peace with all your might. While you are recovering from grief you will welcome peace.

 

But what kind of peace will fill our needs? Will quietness or solitude? If you experience Tinnitus, a constant ringing in your ears that never stops,  quietness may bring more stress than peace! If you are lonely, solitude may only serve to insult your sensibilities. What about the absence of stress and hurt? That would be nice, but do you know of such a protective place where heartache never visits? How about a bigger pile of money, a life of comfort? There are too many stories of extremely wealthy people who never found peace.

 

Jesus says that He gives us true peace, not the kind of peace the world offers. What is this true peace that we are offered? He says it is the kind of peace that can protect our hearts from being troubled by the storm raging around and within us. It is the peace that overcomes fear. It is a peace that endures and persists despite our circumstances.

 

Paul wrote that he had learned the secret of being content; that whether he had plenty or none, he “could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.” He endured plenty of pain and sorrow, including some unknown ‘thorn in the flesh’ that just wouldn’t leave him. But a contented peace allowed him to rise above his circumstances. He found the peace that surpasses all human understanding, the peace that Jesus gives. Surely, this peace is ‘the favor of the Lord, more than any other ‘riches’ you may acquire!

 

Doesn’t that sound like the peace you want? Isn’t that the kind of peace that would make your light shine brighter within and around you? I wonder what transformation awaits us when we decide to relentlessly pursue the peace of God rather than the peace that the world offers! Why not spend time with God and talk with the Prince of Peace about experiencing His peace in your life?!