The Advent season is upon us! This time of expectant waiting and preparation marks the beginning of the Christian year, just as January starts the calendar year. Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas, and it is a crucial time for Christians to prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus. We reflect on the ancient longing of the Jews for a Messiah, acknowledging our own profound need for a Savior, and eagerly look forward to Christ's second coming even as we celebrate his first.
What is the Peace of Advent?
Peace (freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility)
In a world filled with anxiety and ceaseless noise, the concept of peace can seem fleeting. But the peace Advent points us toward is not merely a temporary psychological state; it is spiritual peace, the profound tranquility that comes from the God of all Creation. It is the peace of people whose sins are forgiven.
Isaiah 9:6 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
As the Prince of Peace, Jesus bestows wholeness—health to the sin-sick soul, a sound and healthy relationship between God and humanity, and between fellow human beings. This is a condition of universal righteousness and prosperity, ultimately secured through Him.
The Peace That Surpasses Understanding
The core of this peace is found in reconciliation with God.
Romans 5:1-2 NIV,[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
This spiritual peace is the opposite of anxiety. It is the deep confidence that comes when we commit our burdens to God in prayer, trusting that He can and will do what is best for us.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This peace stands guard against anxiety, fear, and worry. It is not dependent on everything going smoothly. In fact, Jesus made a distinction between the world's fleeting calm and the enduring tranquility He offers.
John 14:27 NIV 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.
Two Reactions to Unbelievable News
From the moment humanity sinned in the Garden of Eden, God promised to restore the broken peace. He did this by sending the Prince of Peace. Let’s look at two biblical examples of how people reacted to the news of His coming:
1. Zechariah: Agitation and Doubt
When the angel Gabriel announced that Zechariah's old wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son. Zechariah responded with doubt.
Luke 1:11-20 NIV [11] Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. [12] When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. [13] But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. [14] He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, [15] for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. [16] He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. [17] And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” [18] Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” [19] The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. [20] And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” (emphasis mine)
Despite his righteous position as a priest, Zechariah allowed agitation and doubt to displace peace. His doubt led to a consequence: muteness until his son was born. This shows us that a lack of peace can literally silence our ability to proclaim God's word.
2. Mary: Courageous Peace
In stark contrast, when Gabriel delivered the unimaginable news to the young virgin Mary, her response—after a moment of confusion—was one of profound acceptance and peace.
Luke 1:26-38 NIV [26] In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. [28] The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” [29] Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. [30] But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. [31] You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” [34] “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” [35] The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. [36] Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. [37] For no word from God will ever fail.” [38] “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (emphasis mine)
Mary's obedience was rooted in a peace that transcended her very real fears—the fear of disgrace, the fear of misunderstanding. She chose to trust in God's word, embodying the peace that gave her the courage to accept the Lord’s plan. This Advent, whether the news we face is "bad" or "too-good-to-be-true," Mary is our example to accept it with peace.
Pursue the Prince of Peace
Sin created a barrier between us and God, but God provided the perfect solution: He sent Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to pay for our sins and reconcile us to Him.
Colossians 1:21-22 NLT [21] This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. [22] Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we are reconciled to God and receive the lasting peace the world desperately seeks. As the angels proclaimed at His birth.
Luke 2:13-14 NLT [13] Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Make the most important gift you give this Christmas your own witness to the reality of the Prince of Peace. Pursue the peace that passes understanding in all you do. In a troubled world, we are called to be the ones who declare that true peace is available only through Jesus.
What is the Peace of Advent?
Peace (freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility)
In a world filled with anxiety and ceaseless noise, the concept of peace can seem fleeting. But the peace Advent points us toward is not merely a temporary psychological state; it is spiritual peace, the profound tranquility that comes from the God of all Creation. It is the peace of people whose sins are forgiven.
Isaiah 9:6 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
As the Prince of Peace, Jesus bestows wholeness—health to the sin-sick soul, a sound and healthy relationship between God and humanity, and between fellow human beings. This is a condition of universal righteousness and prosperity, ultimately secured through Him.
The Peace That Surpasses Understanding
The core of this peace is found in reconciliation with God.
Romans 5:1-2 NIV,[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
This spiritual peace is the opposite of anxiety. It is the deep confidence that comes when we commit our burdens to God in prayer, trusting that He can and will do what is best for us.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This peace stands guard against anxiety, fear, and worry. It is not dependent on everything going smoothly. In fact, Jesus made a distinction between the world's fleeting calm and the enduring tranquility He offers.
John 14:27 NIV 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.
Two Reactions to Unbelievable News
From the moment humanity sinned in the Garden of Eden, God promised to restore the broken peace. He did this by sending the Prince of Peace. Let’s look at two biblical examples of how people reacted to the news of His coming:
1. Zechariah: Agitation and Doubt
When the angel Gabriel announced that Zechariah's old wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son. Zechariah responded with doubt.
Luke 1:11-20 NIV [11] Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. [12] When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. [13] But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. [14] He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, [15] for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. [16] He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. [17] And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” [18] Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” [19] The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. [20] And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” (emphasis mine)
Despite his righteous position as a priest, Zechariah allowed agitation and doubt to displace peace. His doubt led to a consequence: muteness until his son was born. This shows us that a lack of peace can literally silence our ability to proclaim God's word.
2. Mary: Courageous Peace
In stark contrast, when Gabriel delivered the unimaginable news to the young virgin Mary, her response—after a moment of confusion—was one of profound acceptance and peace.
Luke 1:26-38 NIV [26] In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. [28] The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” [29] Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. [30] But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. [31] You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” [34] “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” [35] The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. [36] Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. [37] For no word from God will ever fail.” [38] “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (emphasis mine)
Mary's obedience was rooted in a peace that transcended her very real fears—the fear of disgrace, the fear of misunderstanding. She chose to trust in God's word, embodying the peace that gave her the courage to accept the Lord’s plan. This Advent, whether the news we face is "bad" or "too-good-to-be-true," Mary is our example to accept it with peace.
Pursue the Prince of Peace
Sin created a barrier between us and God, but God provided the perfect solution: He sent Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to pay for our sins and reconcile us to Him.
Colossians 1:21-22 NLT [21] This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. [22] Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we are reconciled to God and receive the lasting peace the world desperately seeks. As the angels proclaimed at His birth.
Luke 2:13-14 NLT [13] Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Make the most important gift you give this Christmas your own witness to the reality of the Prince of Peace. Pursue the peace that passes understanding in all you do. In a troubled world, we are called to be the ones who declare that true peace is available only through Jesus.
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