Peace, peace, peace, what is peace? Peace on earth is really big at Christmas time isn’t it? “Peace on earth and good will to men,” which is a partial Bible quote of Luke chapter 2 and verse 14. Then again, it’s seems to be a motivating factor in the world at large doesn’t it? In the movie Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock plays Gracie Hart an undercover FBI agent who has infiltrated the Miss USA beauty pageant to search for an internal villain. During the pageant each and every woman names “World Peace” as their personal goal to achieve if they were to win. It seems that “peace on earth” – “world peace” has become a politically correct goal to attain in our day and age!

So what is peace? Webster defines it as: “a state of tranquility or quiet; esp., a state of security or order protected by law or custom” and also as, “harmony in personal relations.” And what does this tranquility, security, and harmony have to do with Christmas time and the birth of Jesus? With all this talk of peace at Christmas then tell me why are all these wars going on all over the world? Last year at this time, the nation Israel launched air strikes on Gaza in their battle with Hamas in the conflict between the Palestinians and the Jewish state. And just a few days ago President Obama ordered 30,000 troupes to Afghanistan in the US war against the Taliban terrorists.

In light of all this did the birth of Jesus bring peace on earth? Yes, his birth brings the prospect of peace to everyone who has been or ever will be born on planet earth, because he came to, “save His people from their sin.” And if all mankind would receive Jesus as their personal Savior then all wars would be done away with, because all envy, hatred, bitterness, and prejudice would be gone! Then again, No, as the reality is his birth has actually brought division, because God has allowed men and women the individual choice to receive Jesus as their personal Savior or not. And sadly, many have chosen to reject Jesus, his newness of life, and his eternal life. In fact Jesus said in Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” He said this because he knew that mankind would be divided over their acceptance of him as their Messiah.

Therefore, the greatest battle and lack of peace that rages is not on the battle field, nation against nation, but in the heart of the individual. Shall I receive Jesus as my Savior or continue to reject him and live for myself. Christmas is however, a very special time of the year when the birth of the Savior is shared with many. And many a person will choose to yield their wills to Christ this Christmas, and those who do will receive for the first time in their lives the “peace” that was spoken of by the prophets and sung about by the angels. For they receive not only “Peace with God” (Romans 5:1) but the “Peace of God” (Philippians 4:7). And having that individual peace truly is “Perfect Peace”! Do you have that Perfect Peace? If not, why not? – Merry Christmas!