Week Four: December 19-20 - Prince of Peace - "Peace" - Lisa
** Luke 2:1-7 - The Birth of Jesus
**Activity - Christmas Eve - Invite people to watch with you
        
Read Luke 2:1-7
      
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

When we reflect on the past year, what are the different words you might use to describe it? Challenging? Unpredictable? Dumpster fire? There are plenty of words we could use when we look back on 2020, but I have a feeling “peace” is not one of them.

   

Peace: freedom from disturbance; tranquility; a stress-free state of security and calmness; everything coexisting in perfect harmony.

  

When we read about Jesus’ birth or even sing Silent Night, it’s easy for us to imagine a quiet and peaceful moment where heaven came to earth, but let’s remember that His birth was very real. Mary experienced the same pain experienced by mothers today, but instead of a clean bed in a hospital and doctors, she was surrounded by dirty straw in a stable with only her new husband. Most likely, this night was not silent and may not have been filled with peace. Yet, that was the night the Prince of Peace was born.

   

Jesus was the promised Prince of Peace the Jewish people had been waiting for. And when the angels appeared to the shepherds on the night when He was born, they praised God, proclaiming: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).

   

Jesus continued to bring a sense of peace into the storms of life for those around Him. When the waves were crashing all around them, His closest friends were terrified, positive their boat would capsize, and they would all drown. In desperation, they woke the sleeping Jesus, shouting in fear. In response, Jesus commanded the wind and waves cease, reestablishing a sense of calm and peace.

    

If you have found yourself drowning in fear this past year, you are not alone, and the same Prince of Peace that was on the boat thousands of years ago remains with us today. Frequently our circumstances may continue to feel crazy and chaotic, but Jesus can re-establish a sense of peace that may not make any sense but calms us (Luke 8:22-25).

   

This year, maybe more than ever before, so many are desperate to find this kind of peace. We have a fantastic opportunity to share this good news with those around us! There has never been a better time to invite someone to watch a Christmas Eve service with you online. Think of who that might be - your neighbor, coworker, classmate, friend. Don’t miss the opportunity to invite them to experience the peace that is available with Jesus, who Makes Life Better. You can find more information and register to watch online at ehills.org/christmas.