"He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me"(Psalms 55:18a).
The beautiful, glittering words on the Christmas cards we receive and the noise of our busy lives stand in stark contrast to one another. "Peace on Earth," the cards often read. We think, My, wouldn't that be nice? Every parent longs for a peaceful home, but hearing the crescendo of family voices and daily demands, we knew that peace isn't happening at our house, especially during the activity-packed holidays.
But if each of us stops to think more about peace on earth, perhaps we might wonder what Christ meant in John 14:27 when He said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Then, the truth of this verse dawns on us; true peace is not the absence of arguments, noise, or busyness. True peace is experiencing God's love instead of His wrath because we receive the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. That means discussions with family members, chores to do, and even interruptions to school days need not change to experience the presence of Christ's peace in our lives.
Are you looking for peace this Christmas? Don't look for the absence of problems. Look instead to the Peacemaker Whose birth made the angels of heaven proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). Let the power of the Holy Spirit fill you this Christmas and give you the peace of Christ. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Jesus, I praise You for the love, forgiveness, and peace You give to all who trust in You. Please walk with me this Christmas and give me the peace of Your presence in my life. In Your holy name, Amen.