Tis’ The Season: Peace

The Unsettled Christmas Story

Mary and Joseph 

 Luke 2:4-7 (NLT)
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

The situation the Christmas story wasn’t peaceful. 

What does this season look like for you?

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

The of Peace

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)

“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).”

Isaiah 9:6
New International Version
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The birth of Jesus was the of the promise of peace.

The of Christmas

In Jesus, God came to with us.

Luke 2:11 (NLT)
“The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

God has a !

John 1:14
The Message
14 The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.

What’s the often-overlooked message of Christmas?

The events surrounding the birth of Jesus make it clear that Peace isn’t found in the of problems.

Luke 2:10
New Living Translation
…“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

John 16:33
New International Version
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

True peace is found in the of a God who has a .

Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)
10 I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.’

How have you seen God’s plan unfold in your life?

Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you…”

Jeremiah 1:5 New Living Translation
5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
    Before you were born I set you apart
    and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

True peace is found in the presence of a God who takes you by the .

Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)
“For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.'”

Finding Peace in the Journey

Psalm 23:1-4 (NLT)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

Peace: Presence, , Path

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

John 14:8
…No, I will not abandon you as orphans

John 14:27-29
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

Luke 2:8-14
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Peace isn’t found in the absence of problems. True peace is found in the presence of a God who has a plan.