Isaiah 9:6 ‘For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’

DAILY READING; Acts 8:26-40; Joshua 1-2; Job 21

World War 1 was one of the most brutal wars in history. By Christmas Eve of 1914, the war had been raging for almost five months. When Pope Benedict XV called for a Christmas truce, the idea was officially rejected. But something amazing happened on the Western front. No one knows how it actually started, but on that Christmas Eve, there was sudden peace on the warfront.
German soldiers began singing “Silent Night” in German, and the British soldiers on the other side of the great divide joined in English. These men sang Christmas carols in two different languages – in the middle of a war. Soldiers who hours before had been attempting to kill one another were now singing together about the wonder of Christ’s birth.
Then the Germans started calling out, “Merry Christmas, Englishmen.” The British soldiers also responded, wishing the Germans a merry Christmas in return.
The next morning which was Christmas Day, soldiers from the British and German sides, all climbed out of their trenches, unarmed. A system of trenches had separated the two warring sides, with the area in between regarded as “No Man’s Land.” These soldiers walked across this area and exchanged gifts of drinks, food and even souvenirs such as hats and buttons. Recently killed soldiers were allowed to be retrieved and buried, and the soldiers held joint services. These enemies smiled at each other and shook hands. There was even a report of soccer matches between these enemy troops.
For a brief moment, in that sacred interlude, there was peace and good will among these warring men. Historians continue to be amazed at this inexplicable truce in WW1, when the celebration of Christ’s birth brought cease-fire in the midst of the fierce war.

This momentary truce on Christmas day was very significant of the reason why Jesus was born. The saving power of His birth, death and resurrection has made it possible for us to have peace even in the midst of wars, woes and troubles in the world. Indeed peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God in any situation.

Today, while there is a global threat of pandemic, financial uncertainties and social unrest; through Christ we can continue to have the peace that passes all understanding.
At Christ’s birth, angels made it known that He was to be the great peace–bringer. On that night, they proclaimed to the shepherds in the field “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” [Luke 2:14-17]
Jesus indeed has come to bring peace to mankind. He has come on a rescue mission to end every storm and establish His reign of peace in our lives.

Isaiah 9:6 says ‘For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’

Truly Jesus is our prince of peace. The earth will know real peace at His millennial government when wars will cease and armies will be dismantled. However, before that time, Christ’s rule of peace has already started in the life of every believer. He paid the price for our peace at the cross. Isaiah 53:5 says that the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. He was beaten to bring us shalom.
Shalom is a Hebrew word that means peace, harmony, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. It means wholeness – nothing missing and nothing broken.
Jesus is our shalom, and as long as we abide in Him through His Word, we can have inexplicable peace and joy despite the storms in the world.
In John 16:33 Jesus said ‘..in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’
Truly Jesus has overcome the world for us. He has come to calm every storm in our lives. He has come to be our bridge over every troubled water. It doesn’t matter what you may be facing, Jesus is declaring peace over every storm in your life today. Because He lives, you shall live also.

In John 14:27 Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Through Christ we never have to be afraid or have our hearts troubled for any reason. Though fear and anxiety may be gripping the world, our insurance remains the assurance of God’s Word.
Therefore today, as we celebrate Christmas, let us deliberately thank God for the peace that Christ brought to us. Let us thank Him for peace in our health, finances, family and all that concerns us. May indeed the celebration of Christmas today, mark the beginning of a new season of wholeness, soundness, joy, peace and tranquility in our lives.

PRAYER. Father, I thank You for constantly surrounding me with Your peace that passes all understanding. Let the celebration of the birth of Christ today truly mark a new season of complete peace in my life in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
You don’t have light until you have The Word of God. The Word of God gives light on any issue in your life. WORDBITE222