The Prince of Peace
The Christmas story breaks into the world with noise and chaos—angels, travel, political strife, and confused families. But right in the middle of all that commotion, there is a core message of peace.
When the angels announced Christ's birth, they declared: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14, KJV). And hundreds of years before the manger, the prophet Isaiah gave the Messiah this magnificent title:
Isaiah 9:6 (KJV): "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Think about that name: "The Prince of Peace." This title tells us that Christ doesn't just deliver peace; He is the source and ruler of it.
In our lives, we often confuse peace with the absence of problems. We think, "If I could just get through this busy week, or if this one relationship would be fixed, then I'd have peace."
But the peace that Christ brings is entirely different. It’s not dependent on external circumstances. It is shalom; a comprehensive wholeness and well-being that comes from being right with God.
Christ came to bring two kinds of peace:
Peace with God: By His birth and subsequent sacrifice, Christ bridged the gap created by sin. We are no longer God’s enemies but His children. This is the foundation of all true peace.
The Peace of God: Because we have peace with God, He offers a peace that can guard our hearts and minds even when the world around us is in turmoil. This is the peace that settles your soul during the holiday rush, family tension, or unexpected bad news.
My encouragement today is to intentionally invite the Prince of Peace into your chaos. If you are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by the season, remember that the "government shall be upon his shoulder." That means your burdens, your worries, and your need for control—He takes them on.
Let's trust that the Prince of Peace rules over our day, our future, and our every struggle. When we fix our eyes on Him, the noise of the world quiets, and we find that perfect, unshakable peace that only He can give.