๐๐ฑ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ: ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ
Welcome back to our Advent series! If you’re anything like Clark Griswold from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you might be dreaming of the “perfect Christmas”—one where everything is magical, the decorations are flawless, and the family gatherings are peaceful. Of course, we all know how that worked out for Clark!
The truth is, peace can feel hard to find, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. But the peace we celebrate during Advent isn’t found in quiet moments or well-organized plans—it’s found in a person: Jesus Christ.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐
When the angels appeared to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, they proclaimed a message of peace:
“๐บ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐ ๐บ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ โ๐๐โ๐๐ ๐ก, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐กโ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ป๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐!” ๐ฟ๐ข๐๐ 2:14
This wasn’t just a nice idea; it was the fulfillment of God’s promise. Long before Jesus was born, Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be called the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). His coming would bring a peace that goes far deeper than the absence of conflict—a peace that reconciles us to God.
๐ง๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฎ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ
In John 14:27, Jesus offers us this incredible assurance:
"๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐ฆ๐๐ข; ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข. ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข. ๐ฟ๐๐ก ๐๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ โ๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐.”
The peace Jesus gives is unshakable, even in the face of life’s storms. It’s the peace of knowing that we are forgiven, loved, and secure in Him. No matter what chaos surrounds us—be it a hectic schedule, family tensions, or unexpected challenges—His peace remains.
๐ฆ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐บ๐ฎ๐
As we reflect on the peace of Christ this Advent, let’s also think about how we can share that peace with others. Maybe it’s extending grace to someone who’s difficult to get along with, or offering a word of encouragement to a friend who’s feeling overwhelmed.
And let’s not forget the best way to share peace: by pointing others to the One who gives it. The same baby born in Bethlehem is the Savior who calms our fears, heals our hearts, and gives us rest.
So, as you sip your hot cocoa, untangle those Christmas lights, or navigate the crowded aisles of your local store, take a moment to breathe and remember: Jesus is our peace. And that, my friends, is better than any Hallmark movie ending!