In this season, I look at the Christmas cards, lights, decorations and nativity scenes, all with the message of "Peace" or "Peace on Earth." But what I see on earth are problems in finances, families, relationships, friends or employment, or sadness and stress over health changes or the loss of a spouse, family member or close friend.

Bible with Christmas GreeneryLet's look at where the peace was at the first Christmas in the Bible.

The Priest Zacharias did not believe the angel Gabriel, who told Zacharias that his wife, who was barren and advanced in years, would bear him a son who would be called John. Zacharias could not speak until the day when these things took place, because of his disbelief. Luke 1:8-20, 22.

What about Mary, who was a virgin engaged to a carpenter named Joseph, when Gabriel the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her, and for that reason the Holy Child would be called the Son of God? Luke 1:35.

What about Joseph, engaged to Mary before they came together, when she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit? Joseph, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace Mary, wanted to send her away secretly, until an angel appeared to him in a dream. Matthew 1:18-21, 24.

After Jesus was born, the angel told Joseph, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him." Matthew 2:13.

In the examples above, each person, like each of us, handles the situation differently — from Zacharias' disbelief, to Joseph taking it into his own hands, to Mary's faith-filled response. She praised God, saying, "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." Luke 1:46-47.

God also handled their situations differently, but it was all through faith that they found the peace that surpasses all human understanding. There were some shepherds in the field watching over their flock by night and suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:8-14.

May we through faith alone also let Jesus, "The Master Shepherd," guide and lead us in this earthly life where we may receive the true peace through His love. I wish all the brothers and sisters affected by cancer a blessed, merry Christmas.

To find out more about the peace that surpasses all human understanding, talk to your clergy member or a Bible-believing Christian, who will share this joy of peace.


Share Your Thoughts

Where are you finding peace this holiday season? Share your comments below.

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About the Author

Jack Henning was born and raised in Milwaukee. Like many youths in the 1960s, he had a paper route and worked part-time while in high school. He has worked in sales for Sears, Bear Automotive and Prudential Insurance Co., and worked with the Milwaukee County Transit System in the distribution of parts. He is currently self-employed and does commercial locksmithing and small engine repair. He has been married for 33 years and has two sons. He had been in good to excellent health until the summer of 2014 when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer that involved other organs. He is working on getting his health and lifestyle back to where it was.