[week 2]
Peace Is Here

READ
ISAIAH 54:10

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

JOHN 14:27

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.

ROMANS 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…

Peace is mentioned throughout the Bible over 400 times.  The prophet Isaiah mentions peace 30 times in his book alone.  One of the titles of Jesus we often hear around Christmas time is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).  Having peace is an important concept in Scripture.  

WHAT IS BIBLICAL PEACE?

Peace is much more than the absence of conflict.  The Hebrew word for peace is shalom which includes the idea of making something whole or complete.  When the Bible speaks of God bringing peace or shalom – God is restoring things to a state of harmony or wholeness.  

At Jesus’s birth, God stepped into history to bring peace to the world – restoring the broken relationship with humanity. The arrival of Jesus brings the ultimate fulfillment of peace – we are made whole again and have restored communion with our Father.  We have a richer understanding of Jesus’s words in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…”. Jesus provides SHALOM, true restoration.

This Advent season, we take time to consider the wonderful Peace that Jesus provides.  When the worries and anxieties of this life take hold of us, we need the peace and restoration only Jesus can provide. 

TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER

Jesus has given us his PEACE to indwell us and to continue in his mission of bringing restoration.  We should be about bringing peace to more than ourselves. We should bring peace to our relationships and to our world as well.

Go Deeper

  • How has Jesus brought peace to our world and to your life? 
  • Where do you hope to see the Lord’s peace restore what’s lost?
Advent 22-2

CHOOSE AN ACTIVITY FOR YOUR FAMILY

As we enter the season of Advent, families have an opportunity to pass down to the next generation the importance of Jesus and the hope, peace, joy and love he brings to us all. Each week of advent, you are encouraged to choose one or more of the family-friendly activities presented below in addition to your other family traditions. You may even start some new traditions along the way. Make sure to emphasize the “why” when you engage in each activity. 
Week 2 – PEACE  

At Jesus’s birth, God stepped into history to bring peace to the world – restoring the broken relationship with humanity.

  • At bedtime, retell the story of each of your children’s birth or arrival in the family.  Relate your family’s excitement to the excitement around the birth of Jesus. Pray for families who are welcoming children in the midst of unusual or difficult circumstances right now.
  • Ask: “What are you anxious about today?”  Pray together that God would give each of you peace this Christmas season.
  • Grab a name from the Toys for Taylor tree at church. Donate money for an extra gift for a child or family in need. Pray for the family during your family prayer time.
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