THE PROMISE OF CHRISTMAS
Finding real peace when the world feels out of control
THE PROMISE OF Christmas
It arrives with the first whispers of the cool December breeze—and sometimes even before. Shop windows start glittering with reindeer figurines and Christmas trees. Christmas— it’s a marketer’s dream.
’Tis the season for glowing neon signs and playful slogans: “Celebrate the joy,” “Let it shine,” and “The most magical time of the year.” It’s familiar and extravagant yet never seems to lose its charm.
A stroll through Colombo’s streets reveals churches adorned with banners proclaiming the “true meaning of Christmas.” Outside their entrances, nativity scenes catch the eye—a humble manger with Mary and Joseph kneeling beside the infant Jesus, accompanied by words like “Peace and goodwill” or “Rejoice, for the Savior is born.”
But are these just more marketing slogans? How can the ancient story of baby Jesus promise peace to a world as divided and wartorn as ours?
That first Christmas was anything but peaceful. The world Jesus entered had much of the same chaos as our world today. Israel, where Jesus was born, was ruled by the corrupt and selfish King Herod. When he heard of the baby people were calling “King”, Herod was determined to kill Him. Hundreds of babies were murdered in Bethlehem at his command as his jealous madness became unhinged. A whole community was left utterly broken in grief. Jesus’ family fled to Egypt to escape the slaughter. They lost their home, community and identity as they sought to
survive as refugees. Jesus’ birth is not a peaceful story because it is no fairytale. It happened for real in this world where people and governments do horrible things and life is often unbearably painful. But the Christmas story offers peace because of who it is about.
There was a reason people called baby Jesus’ “King”. His birth was expected. It was foretold in detail hundreds of years beforehand. He would be the ultimate king; the “Prince of Peace”, the one whose very nature is to bring peace. As an adult, Jesus healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind and raised the dead. His works revealed that His eternal kingdom had entered this world. He even defeated death when He rose from the grave after His execution, opening the way to eternal life for all who trust in Him. He lived in this chaotic world, so He understands our fears and anxieties. But He also demonstrated His absolute authority over all the things that rob us of our peace. Maybe the world is getting crazier. Maybe it’s always been like this. But God promises in the Bible that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” When our peace is dependent on our circumstances, it’s fragile; and we are understandably anxious. We’re subject to an uncontrollable, volatile world where the most unpredictable things can happen, and life can steer out of control. This world can only offer us peace that lasts a moment . . . until something else goes wrong. But the Christmas story offers us a peace beyond understanding. Peace that guards our hearts despite our circumstances. Jesus came to our unsettled world to give us something no one else can give: “I am leaving you with a gift” He told His friends, “Peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Everyone who places their trust in Jesus enters a lasting and secure relationship with God. That’s the promise of Christmas; it gives us a new foundation for our lives, one that isn’t based on what happens in this unpredictable world, but on God’s
promises to us in the Bible. Having Jesus with us doesn’t mean that everything will be perfect, but it means we can have His supernatural peace, no matter what life throws at us. The peace He gives comes from the promise that He is with us, He will provide for us, and He will work everything out for good—even the seemingly disastrous stuff.
FIND OUT MORE
There’s so much more to discover about the Christmas story and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We want to encourage you to attend a local church during the festive season to find out more about the God who brings real peace into our daily worries.
Our Daily Bread Ministries is here for you. For over fifty years we’ve been helping people across the world open the Bible to meet the God who cares.