The run-up to Christmas can be very busy can't it? They're all the presents to buy, all the preparations to be made, not to mention keeping a check on just how the finances of it all working out.

Then for some the Christmas season may well bring the twinge of sadness – a friend or family member who was there last year won't be there this year. Perhaps they've moved away, perhaps there's been a breakdown in the relationship, maybe they've died.

The day itself finally arrives it can still be very stressful. We'll all the presents I bought be okay? And what about the meal? Will it be properly done? Will everybody get on with each other or will there be another family row this year? Will I survive the day was all those relatives around?

It's strange isn't it that Christmas, which should be such a happy occasion, can be so easily spoiled? Especially when the first Christmas contained an angelic message about peace! Let's take a closer look at some of the details concerning that first Christmas.

The Message of Peace

Centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ the Prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah who was to come. One of the names by which Isaiah called him was: "Prince of peace". How appropriate then for the Angel to speak of God bestowing his peace upon men as this long promised Messiah comes into the world.

The angelic declaration of peace that was clearly pronounced at the time the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ was almost immediately experienced. The shepherds had initially been frightened by the appearance of this Angel but having heard his message they did not hesitate to go and see the child about whom they had been told. This child was so evidently greater than any they had never met before but the Angels message was so encouraging that fear no longer controlled them.

Nor did it end with the shepherds for just a few days later we read of how Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple where they met Simeon who was by now an old man. The Lord had told Simeon that before he died he would see the long promised Messiah now the Simeon sees the baby Jesus he recognises in him the fulfilment of all the Lord's promises. No longer any stress or strain, no longer any anxiety concerning the accomplishment of the promises – Simeon is at peace and ready to leave this world!

Peace really is important isn't it? And yet, the biblical idea of peace is far more than the mere absence of war or strife. Its basic idea is that of completeness, soundness, and of welfare.

Matthew Henry described peace as:

"the smile of God reflected in the soul of the believer."

And then he went on to ask the question:

"What peace can they have who are not at peace with God?"

John Calvin said that peace was a free gift that flowed from the pure mercy of God but a gift which our consciences would never truly enjoy until they came to trust in the Saviour who offered his life as a sacrifice for sins.

Of course, man has always tried to do things in his own way without relying upon God. While he may succeed for a while in placating his conscience he can never on his own solve the underlying problem. Centuries before the coming of Christ Jeremiah lambasted the false prophets of his day for trying to do just that as they proclaimed a superficial message that never got to the bottom of the matter. According to Jeremiah they preached:

""Peace, peace" when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11)

Nevertheless, this has always been an attractive proposition to the human mind to deal with the symptoms were leaving the underlying problem untouched.

John Bunyan put it this way:

"If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot."

The Psalmist gives us much better advice to follow:

Ps.85:8 "Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly."

Jesus and Peace

With the birth of Jesus Christ the angelic hosts spoke of God's favour in granting peace to his people. As Jesus ministered he to spoke about peace. To a woman who had come anonymously to him for healing he first healed her and then spoke these encouraging words to her:

Mark 5:34 "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

To his disciples he spoke about peace as no mere sentimental experience but as the logical outcome of trusting him and his word:

John 14:1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me."

And again:

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

The peace that Jesus brings us and which we may experience in our lives is in fact based upon something that he has done on our behalf. We may enjoy peace in our lives because he has made peace with God for us. Listen to how Paul puts it:

Colossians 1:19-20 "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

The baby who was born at Bethlehem and whose birth was heralded by the Angels had come into the world for this very purpose. God himself was preaching to mankind and subject was the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all! (See Acts 10:36).

Here is the reason why Jesus came into the world: he came to be the Saviour of the World and He could only do so by offering himself voluntarily as a sacrifice for our sins. When we understand that and come to him in repentance and faith God wants us to know that there is no longer any reason for us not to enjoy peace with God that Jesus has secured for us!

As Christians in the New Testament did understand these things it is not the least bit surprising that they combined the ideas of grace and peace as they greeted one another. Grace referred to the generosity of God in freely giving what was needed to those who were in no way deserving.

This is the kind of greeting that we find:

Ephesians 1:2 "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

And because God is no niggardly bestower of blessings, we also read

1Peter 1:2 "May grace and peace be multiplied to you."

Conclusion

The peace of which we have been speaking is a most wonderful blessing for a man or a woman to have. While not being necessary sheltered from the problems and difficulties of life, a man may nevertheless enjoy a right relationship with God and have the various parts of his life rightly ordered. Such a life of peace is not dependent upon his immediate external circumstances being always favourable and indeed the man who possesses this blessing of peace may be at peace in even the most trying of circumstances.

Do you know this peace? You don't have to earn it – you never could even if you tried – God offers it to you as a gift but it is a gift that he offers on his terms and on his alone. If you would have peace with God you must come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

May this gift be enjoyed by us all not only this Christmas but for the rest of our lives!

Amen!

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