Today's Reading: Luke 2:8-14

Luke 2:14 (ESV) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

"This gift is from Jesus!" I shouted with joy. Oh, the look of surprise that filled their faces.

When my children were little, each Christmas we would try to capture the wonder of that first night when angels came and announced the birth of our Savior. With special traditions and intentional devotions, I aimed to help my children understand the gift God had given to us. Still, the busyness of the season would distract me, along with all of the "to-dos" on my ever-growing list. It was supposed to be a season of peace, but I felt like I was falling to pieces.

That first Christmas Eve was not so different. It must have been mayhem, as people came from all over the world to be registered for the census. (Luke 2:1) And in the midst of this mess, a message of peace came to some unlikely recipients... or perhaps not so unlikely after all. That God would appear to shepherds is not so alarming when we consider who he had chosen before. Moses and David were shepherds. And so was Abraham. A symbolic heavenly messenger, the Shepherd of us all, chose those who were considered lowly to tell them that the Lamb of God had been born.

The shepherds understood the sacrifice of the Son of God. They were accustomed to caring for sheep who were sacrificed as an offering for sin. God's people had been longing for peace from the beginning. Haggai the prophet foretold of this peace to come. (Haggai 2:9) Zachariah had prophesied that his son, John the Baptist, would lead the way to "guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79).

They wanted Christ to come and give them political peace from their enemies. (John 6:15) But Jesus did not seek to be the ruler of governments. No, this Prince of Peace sought to rule their hearts with peace this world could not take away. The peace God wanted His people to have was not a temporary goal or simply a pause in the midst of a chaotic world. (Luke 12:51) Peace that lasts could only come from the Messiah, who brought reconciliation between man and God. The One who made the covenant had come to fulfill it on behalf of all mankind. (Acts 10:36)

It was likely that Christ was born during the Feast of Tabernacles — a reminder of God's deliverance, as Christ the Messiah came to save. Many animals were sacrificed during this festival, and, ironically, the Prince of Peace would Himself be an offering of peace for all who found favor with God. (Luke 2:14)

A messy barn, a crowded land packed with people, political unrest …and God broke into that chaotic world to bring peace. Peace is not found when all is perfect; it's found when all is not.

Christmastime is a lot more peaceful in our family these days. And it doesn't have to do with anything I've done. Because of the work of Christ in my life through the years, I learned that peace and wonder could be found in the midst of everyday life after all. God is with us when we are overwhelmed. He is our Peace. And He still chooses to come to the lowly who see their need of Him.

Prayer: God, help us to dwell in the peace You offer. And help us to extend that same peace to those around us. When life gets crazy, help us to remember that our peace is not conditional upon having a perfectly calm life. Thank You for being our peace and for coming to reconcile us with You, our Savior. In Jesus' name, amen.