“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
My wife told me a story the other day about a young woman who was in need of serious surgery only to see it delayed due to circumstances beyond her control.
When I saw her, I was astonished. You would never know that she was facing a life-threatening illness.
I realized that my wife’s friend enjoys a special kind of peace that the Bible calls the peace of God. It’s a gift that only comes through faith and prayer.
The Apostle Paul talked about the peace of God in his letter to the Philippian Church. He told us that it could not be understood, but he promised that it could be seen. Robbie and I reflected on these words and realized just how much they seem to describe her friend. “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Have you ever stopped and thought about what the world would be like if Christ had not come? A Christmas card was once published with that thought in mind.
The card told the story of a pastor who took a nap in his study on Christmas morning and dreamed about a world that never knew Jesus Christ.
In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there was no Christmas tree, no stockings hung on the mantle, no wreath of holly graced the front door, and no Christ was present to comfort, encourage and save.
He walked out to the street and found that his own church with its steeple pointing towards heaven was gone. When he returned home and sat back down in his study, he discovered that every book he had ever owned about the Lord had disappeared.
The doorbell rang and one of his church members asked him to visit his poor, dying mother. He gladly responded, rushed to her bedside and said, “I have something here that will comfort you”, only to learn that his Bible ended with the Book of Malachi. There was no Gospel, no promise of hope and no assurance of salvation. He could only bow his head and cry with her in bitter despair.
Christmas is a season of joy, not because of the gifts that we give, or the gifts we receive. We are able to celebrate because of the gift of salvation and the peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus himself told us, “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 be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
I found a poem by Helen Steiner Rice that reminds us all about what the peace of God can provide. It’s my gift to you and my prayer that you will let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
Peace from Above
Whenever I am troubled and lost in deep despair,
I bundle all my troubles up and go to God in prayer,
I tell him I am heartsick and lost and lonely too,
That I am deeply burdened and don’t know what to do.
But I know He stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea,
And I humbly ask if in His love He’ll do the same for me.
Then I just keep quiet and think on thoughts of peace,
And as I abide in stillness my restless murmurings cease.