The month leading up to Christmas is often celebrated as Advent, a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. Beginning four Sundays prior to Christmas and ending on Christmas Eve, Advent helps us prepare for the coming, or “advent,” of the Christ child at Christmas.
The word “advent” comes from the Latin word that means “coming.” For hundreds of years, Christians have used an Advent wreath with candles to inspire their hopes for the coming of Christ. By lighting candles and reading Bible verses, we are reminded about the meaning of Christ’s birth and become more excited about his coming in the past, in the future, and in our own lives. There is no set meaning for the candles of the Advent wreath (except for the middle candle, which always signifies the birth of Jesus the Christ and is often called the Christ Candle).
Four Themes of Advent
Hope: The first theme of advent is hope.
Peace: The second week of advent focuses on peace.
Love: In week three, we celebrate love.
Joy: In the 4th and final week of advent we celebrate the theme of joy.
Advent is a way to celebrate the Christmas season, and these themes have remained relevant to this time of year. Each week of advent has a special theme to focus on and celebrate together, all relating to the preparation and anticipation of Christ’s second arrival.
1. Hope: The first theme of advent is hope. Hope in the context of advent means having hope in the promises of Jesus and holding on to hope as we wait for him.
2. Peace: The second week of advent focuses on peace. Peace in Hebrew is “shalom.” God created the world to be in shalom, perfect peace, but that is not the world we live in today. The coming of Christ brings the promise that shalom will be restored and we can live in peace on earth that surpasses our understanding.
3. Love: In week three, we celebrate love. Love is why God came down to earth to live with us and to be a sacrifice to offer us salvation. Because of God’s love, Christ will come again to deliver his promises to us.
4. Joy: The theme of the last week of Advent is joy — how fitting! Right before Christmas, we spend time reflecting on the everlasting joy that is made possible by a loving God who sent His Son to us.
On this Christmas morning, I want us to think about peace as we read John 14:27 —
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
What is peace?
I believe the Bible teaches that PEACE is both something we can strive for (as in Philippians 4 below), as well as a gift from God that comes to us through our faith and belief. It comes when we surrender to God’s rule and reign.
God’s peace is different from the world’s version of peace — which is external and temporary. It is often based on circumstances. And truthfully, the world cannot give you what it does not have. (When was the last time our world seemed at peace?)
Godly peace is a gift.
- It is internal, yet not an emotion.
- It is a reality; and it’s permanent.
Paul wrote in Colossians 3:15 —
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
You can allow God’s peace to rule in your heart, but you have to believe it first.
And at Christmas, many of us do not feel very peaceful. So, let’s look at what the Bible has to say about Peace, and tie it into the Christmas story and the themes of Advent.
One of the most famous passages in the Bible about peace is Philippians 4:5-9.
The Apostle Paul also said this:
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near. 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. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Keep in mind, Paul wrote this letter while in prison! And he writes about peace! So, if he can live this out in his heart even while in prison, you and I can do the same.
His recipe for peace is laid out in this passage:
- Be gentle.
- Don’t be anxious.
- Instead, pray for your concerns. Better yet, pray through them. Bring your issues, needs, fears, praises, dreams to God.
- And do so with thanksgiving. Be thankful.
- Fill your mind with godly thoughts. Don’t focus on the negative. Be aware of what you spend your time thinking about.
If you do these things, the passage says God’s peace will be with you and guard your hearts and minds. Better yet, the God of Peace, Himself, will be with you!
So, in this sense, Peace is something you can strive for. Notice the elements:
Be gentle – Don’t worry – Pray – Thank Him – and think godly thoughts. This process can bring a sense of peace into your lives. In many ways, this is a recipe for success!
But there is another aspect of peace that I mentioned above, which is a gift from God that comes to us through our faith and belief. It comes when we surrender to God’s rule and reign.
Pastor and author Matt Chandler once described this peace like this…
“A willing decision to submit to the King of Kings and Lord and Lords who reigns and rules, and who can be trusted in that reigning and ruling, and let our peace be rooted in HIM. Where we choose to believe in who he is and that He’s coming back to rule and defeat evil… there will be peace.”
He went on to say, “We cannot have His kingdom without the King.” [1]
It should not surprise us, then, to know that the prophet Isaiah, who lived about 700 years before Jesus in a very tumultuous time, prophesied that the coming Messiah would be called “Prince of Peace.”
You’ve probably heard this famous passage from Isaiah 9:6-7…
6 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.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
The ancient Jews were expecting the Messiah to come and establish a peaceful government that would last forever. He would bring peace to their world… and ours. Granted, as Christians today we believe this will not be completely fulfilled until Jesus comes again to defeat evil and established his eternal kingdom.
But for now, God’s peace can still rest upon us. We see this in other Scriptural passages, including the Nativity story — the night Jesus was born, and the angels appeared to the shepherd in the fields…
Luke 2:8-15
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Ultimately, God’s peace is something you can strive for and achieve (to a point). But it is also something God bestows upon us – He gives it to us – based on our faith and trust in Him and decision to surrender to His rule and reign.
Conclusion
- Stop trying to control every aspect of your life. It’s a losing battle. This Christmas season and into the New Year, surrender to God’s control and let His peace reign in your heart.
- Stop looking to the world and your circumstances or possessions or relationships to bring you peace. Again, it is a losing battle. Surrender to Jesus and let His peace reign in your hearts.
The prophet Isaiah also wrote these words:
“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
Immanuel means “God with us.”
Therefore, no matter what is going on in your life and world, the fact that God is with us should give you and me a sense of inner calm and peace.
Closing Prayer
“Prince of Peace, reveal yourself to us today. We need your presence in our lives, our homes, our families, our church, and our whole world. Help us to slow down and seek out the peace you provide, so we may become peacemakers for ourselves and others. In the holy name of Jesus, we pray.”
Amen.
[1] Matt Chandler, “Advent of Peace” at the Village Church, 12/5/21. Online sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqz-VQKm-2E&t=248s (accessed 12/10/25).
