Christmas: Why All the Excitement?
Written by Sherri Bergmann
Isaiah 9:6 predicted 700 years before Jesus was born, “A child has been born for us and God has given us a Son … He will be called the Prince of Peace!”
The angels sang and declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men!”
Matthew 2:11 states that the wise men gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They traveled from far away, responding immediately to the long-foretold star, carrying with them the eagerness that had waited centuries to see it.
Why such excitement from men and angels? Isaiah gave a clue – God giving us a Prince of Peace. Could it be that simple? All the commotion in heaven and on earth—was it for peace?
Isaiah 9:6 predicted 700 years before Jesus was born, “A child has been born for us and God has given us a Son … He will be called the Prince of Peace!”
The angels sang and declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men!”
Matthew 2:11 states that the wise men gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They traveled from far away, responding immediately to the long-foretold star, carrying with them the eagerness that had waited centuries to see it.
Why such excitement from men and angels? Isaiah gave a clue – God giving us a Prince of Peace. Could it be that simple? All the commotion in heaven and on earth—was it for peace?
Longing for Peace in a Chaotic World
We long for peace, especially in today’s strife-filled world. The kind many envision are like in the 70’s song I’d Like to Teach the World, when they sang they wanted to see everyone in the world holding hands and wishing for peace throughout the land. God had something bigger in mind for real peace.
When we have a discord with someone, the relationship is strained. We get disconnected – either partially or completely. It’s the same with our relationship with God. When we don’t want to have a relationship with Him and operate our life by our own rules instead of His – things get messed up.
When we place ourselves in conflict with God and the Bible, we find that instead of being in control, our lives spin out of control. Our life, our marriage, our relationships — everything can start to feel uncertain. Then we pick a fight with God and blame Him for our unhappiness. We can become bitter, cynical, anxious, and because we feel turmoil, we seek peace inside.
Some go on nature walks to find peace, spend time at a spa, or take a vacation, but it’s temporary. The moment the walk ends, the spa and vacation are over, the calmness fades, and they’re back to where they were. Some turn to drugs and become addicted.
When we have a discord with someone, the relationship is strained. We get disconnected – either partially or completely. It’s the same with our relationship with God. When we don’t want to have a relationship with Him and operate our life by our own rules instead of His – things get messed up.
When we place ourselves in conflict with God and the Bible, we find that instead of being in control, our lives spin out of control. Our life, our marriage, our relationships — everything can start to feel uncertain. Then we pick a fight with God and blame Him for our unhappiness. We can become bitter, cynical, anxious, and because we feel turmoil, we seek peace inside.
Some go on nature walks to find peace, spend time at a spa, or take a vacation, but it’s temporary. The moment the walk ends, the spa and vacation are over, the calmness fades, and they’re back to where they were. Some turn to drugs and become addicted.
Jesus Offers Real Peace
The Bible says Jesus came to earth to carry out one mission – to restore peace between us and God. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, “God sent Christ to make peace between Himself and us.”
God doesn’t want us to be disconnected from Him. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him and communicate with Him. When we break away from Him, we more than feel the disconnection — we live it.
Jesus knew our struggles and said in 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.”
God doesn’t want us to be disconnected from Him. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him and communicate with Him. When we break away from Him, we more than feel the disconnection — we live it.
Jesus knew our struggles and said in 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.”
How is Jesus' Peace Different than Worldly Peace?1
Feature Peace from Jesus Worldly Peace
| Source | A relationship with God, enabled by Jesus | External circumstances |
| Presence during problems | Exists in the midst of trouble | Exists only when there are no problems |
| Effect | Provides an inner sense of understanding | Is often a temporary feeling of tranquility that can be taken away |
| Availability | Always available, not dependent on our feelings or state of mind | Fleeting and dependent on a situation being favorable |
Four Types of Peace through Christ:
- Peace with others
- Jesus was known for promoting peace with others.
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9
- “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:19
Distance from God affects our relationship with others. The further away we are from God, the crankier and angrier we become. The closer we are to God, the more we’ll love others and experience more peace. It’s the way He’s wired us.
- Jesus was known for promoting peace with others.
- Inner peace
- Christ guards our minds and hearts and exists even through times of anxiety and troubles.
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.
- "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
- Christ guards our minds and hearts and exists even through times of anxiety and troubles.
- Peace with God
- When we are made righteous with God, and He forgives us, we have peace with
Him, and He has peace with us.- “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
- “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
- When we are made righteous with God, and He forgives us, we have peace with
- Eternal life and Peace
- Jesus will reign forever and ever.
- “Even though we were His enemies, God made peace with us, because His Son died for our sins. Now that we’re at peace with God, we will be saved for eternity by His Son’s life.” Romans 5:10
- Jesus will reign forever and ever.
Peace Made Real in Jesus
The tremendous excitement the angels and wise men had was because the long-awaited
prophesied birth was now happening and the reality of our reconciliation with God was
moving forward.
In the Old Testament, God’s presence was veiled, and people could neither see Him nor enter holy ground. While prayer was possible, His guidance typically came through prophets or angels—making the coming of Christ and the Holy Spirit all the more remarkable.
God wanted something better. He didn’t want a barrier. With Christ, God removed the
barrier and became incarnate through Jesus so people could see Him (“Whoever has seen
Me, has seen the Father” John 14:9), and personally relate to us in person and in Spirit. He
wanted us to be one with Him and give us His peace to get through this world.
Jesus willingly lived, ate, and related to us, and He gave His life on the cross for the sins that separate us from God. Through His obedience, He conquered sin, giving us the power to overcome and receive true victory and peace in Him.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
Now we can have a close, personal relationship with Him – unlike the Old
Testament times when we couldn’t go into the Holy of Holies.
If we drift away from Him and reach rock bottom, we aren’t doomed because He waits for
us to reconcile to Him, to dwell inside of us and help us overcome our challenges and
experience true Peace.
The Prince of Peace is God’s first Christmas gift to us that comes with a Lifetime Plus
guarantee and backed by His promises.
prophesied birth was now happening and the reality of our reconciliation with God was
moving forward.
In the Old Testament, God’s presence was veiled, and people could neither see Him nor enter holy ground. While prayer was possible, His guidance typically came through prophets or angels—making the coming of Christ and the Holy Spirit all the more remarkable.
God wanted something better. He didn’t want a barrier. With Christ, God removed the
barrier and became incarnate through Jesus so people could see Him (“Whoever has seen
Me, has seen the Father” John 14:9), and personally relate to us in person and in Spirit. He
wanted us to be one with Him and give us His peace to get through this world.
Jesus willingly lived, ate, and related to us, and He gave His life on the cross for the sins that separate us from God. Through His obedience, He conquered sin, giving us the power to overcome and receive true victory and peace in Him.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
Now we can have a close, personal relationship with Him – unlike the Old
Testament times when we couldn’t go into the Holy of Holies.
If we drift away from Him and reach rock bottom, we aren’t doomed because He waits for
us to reconcile to Him, to dwell inside of us and help us overcome our challenges and
experience true Peace.
The Prince of Peace is God’s first Christmas gift to us that comes with a Lifetime Plus
guarantee and backed by His promises.
1 AI Google chart summarization.
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