I’ll never forget the moment Tammy came home from her deployment to Iraq. Isaac and I were longing for her return—months of being without her were so difficult. But finally, the day arrived. We were at the airport, surrounded by friends holding welcome-home signs, and when I saw her, I just wanted to run to her and embrace her. The joy, the relief, the overwhelming love—everything poured out in that moment. I couldn’t wait to tell everyone, “My bride has come home!”
The Christmas Story in Luke 2:8-20
As we turn to Luke 2 today, I believe something similar was happening in Israel—they were waiting, longing for the Messiah. Life had been tough without His direction. God had been silent for 400 years, and Israel was wandering. But that fateful night, the long-awaited Savior was born, and when the shepherds heard, they too ran to Him. They went to worship Him, to find peace in Him, and to share the good news about Him.
1. Peace with God
When the angel appeared to the shepherds, he told them not to be afraid because the Savior had come. This was good news, not just for Israel, but for all people. The Savior came to bring peace—the first and most important kind of peace: peace with God.
Peace with God is the foundation of everything else. Without peace with God, nothing else matters.
When we’re born into this world, we are born into sin, separated from God. But Jesus came to bridge that gap. Through His death on the cross, He offers us the chance to be reconciled to God. That’s why He’s called our Savior: He saves us from our sin and offers us peace with God.
The first way to receive the peace announced by the angels is to trust in Jesus as your Savior. As Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s the peace that can never be taken away.
2. Peace with Yourself
Once you have peace with God, the next step is to find peace with yourself. Many people struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, insecurity, and fear. In the world today, we’re often taught that we need to prove our worth, to live up to expectations set by others, or to strive for perfection. But Jesus came to show us that we are already enough in Him.
Jesus didn’t come for perfect people—He came for the broken, the hurting, the lost. When you come to Christ, you’re not only forgiven, but you’re also adopted into God’s family, with all the rights and privileges that come with it. Jesus came to give you peace about who you are, so you no longer need to be weighed down by the world’s pressures.
The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” You can have peace in your soul, knowing that you are loved by God and nothing can change that.
3. Peace with Others
Once you have peace with God and peace within yourself, the next step is peace with others. In Luke 2:14, the angels declare, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Jesus didn’t just come to bring peace between us and God; He also came to bring peace between us and others.
If you don’t have peace with God or with yourself, it’s almost impossible to make peace with others. But once you’ve experienced God’s peace, you can extend it to others. This is how the world will see the Christmas Spirit in action: when we show kindness, forgiveness, and love to those around us. It’s in forgiving others, especially when it’s hard, that we reflect Christ’s love.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Peace flows from God through us to others. When we run to Jesus and receive His peace, it overflows and touches the lives of those around us.
Application: Identifying, Interceding, Investing, Imparting, and Inviting
As we receive peace from Christ, we are called to share it with others. This is the ultimate gift of Christmas: the gift of peace. Let’s consider how we can share this peace:
- Identify someone in your life who needs to know about the peace of Christ.
- Intercede for them in prayer, asking God to soften their heart.
- Invest time and energy into building a relationship with them.
- Impart the good news of Jesus—the message of peace—to them.
- Invite them to experience that peace, whether by attending a service, reading Scripture, or simply having a conversation about Christ.
The shepherds were the first to hear the good news, and they couldn’t keep it to themselves. They told everyone they could, and today, we’re called to do the same. The Savior has come to bring peace on earth. He has brought us peace with God, peace with ourselves, and peace with others. May we run to Him, worship Him, and share His peace with a world that desperately needs it.
This Christmas, let’s remember the peace that Jesus came to offer. Run to Him—He came for you. Worship Him, for He is our Savior and King. And share this peace with others. The Savior has come, and peace is available to all who will receive it.
