In our study of biblical topics surrounding the Christmas season, we have looked at two topics, hope and love. We have looked at how Jesus’ birth affected these two ideas and how they came to be through Christ’s birth. This time we are going to look at the topic of peace and how it relates to Jesus’ birth. So let us begin the study on biblical peace.

When we think of peace in the world, it is often hard to find. With all the stresses of life it seems almost impossible to find true peace in this world. The truth of the matter is that peace does not come from the world nor found in the world. True peace comes only from God and through the Son Jesus Christ. Let’s look at what Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.” Jesus says that in Him, we may have peace. Not through money, not through great fame or popular status, but through Christ we can have true and wonderful peace. Why is that? That answer lies in the next statement in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus tells us something very profound and very important here. Jesus does not say we will not have any problems, stress, or persecution and therefore have peace in life. What He does say is that we will have tribulation, we will have troubles but because we believe in Him, we can have peace knowing in the end we will have the victory through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the birth of Jesus, none of this would be possible. Praise be to God for Jesus coming, dying, and resurrecting.

So how do we have this peace? Well we can first believe in Christ and accept Him as our Savior. But obviously there is a little more to it than that to keep this peace we have through Christ. Paul in Romans gives us an idea of how to do this. Romans 8:6 says, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Paul presents two mindsets we can have. We can have our mind on things of the earth and not on God, or we can have our mind on spiritual things and of the Spirit. The mind on flesh brings death and not peace. However, the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Therefore, if we have our minds on spiritual things, then we can have peace because we are focusing on things of the Spirit in Jesus Christ. We can also have peace by giving our prayers and requests to God. if we give our anxiety and stress to God and let Him take care of them, it can give us peace. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Giving our cares and worries to God will give us peace.

As we celebrate the Christmas season, let us remember to have peace and that we can have peace because of Jesus Christ and what he did. Always remember that Jesus is the source of our peace. As He says in John 14:27 says, “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.” Jesus will give us peace and because of this, our hearts do not have to worry or be afraid. We can have peace that Jesus will come and bring us to our salvation.