Peace on Earth

I'm continuing my 12 Weeks of Inspirational Sunday Posts, looking at some of the symbols, songs, and images of Christmas.  It's a collection of inspirational Sunday posts that highlight the upcoming season, and I'm so glad you joined me!

The card here, one we made in  my Christmas Card Class yesterday, features the Peaceful Season (hostess) stamp set.  Front and center on this card is the message "Peace on Earth,"  one of the oft-repeated phrases of Christmas

It's repeated again and again during the Christmas season in song after song, poems, sermons,Christmas cards, and even lights because it is the message the angel proclaimed upon the birth of Christ Jesus. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luk 2:11-14 KJV)

The peace that God offers through faith in Jesus Christ is not a peace that depends on government or economies or circumstances or significant relationships or any such thing.  In fact, all those things can be just the way you want them, and yet you can lack true peace.  Jesus said it best when He said:

Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

When we come into relationship with God through Jesus Christ, He washes our sins away and pronounces "Peace" over our heart.  That is the beginning of a peace that eludes people through their entire life until that point.  But it's not the end.  As with any peace, it must be maintained and supported.  As we grow in relationship with the Lord, as we walk through life with its many challenges, we can be free from a troubled heart; we can truly be at peace.  It doesn't mean you don't feel pain or disappointment or sorrow.  But peace in the depths of our soul is an incredible work of the Holy Spirit that cannot be produced by pills or substances or food or counseling or shopping or having everything we want (or think we want).  It is a work of God that transcends circumstances, and it is priceless.

Jesus was proclaimed by God to be the Prince of Peace.  My hope for you during the approaching Christmas season is that He becomes your Prince of Peace.  Whether you have not yet trusted Him as your savior, or whether you are walking on the road of life with Him and have lost your peace, my prayer for you is that you will know "Peace on earth, good will toward men" in your own soul.