Christmas Eve

This Christmas message invites us to reconsider what peace truly means in our lives. Drawing from Isaiah 9:6, we explore the profound title given to Jesus: Prince of Peace, or in Hebrew, 'Sar Shalom.' This isn't the fairy-tale prince we might imagine, but a warrior-commander who brings a peace that runs deeper than circumstances. The contrast between shallow peace and shalom peace is striking—shallow peace depends on everything going right externally, while shalom peace is an inner restoration that holds firm even in chaos. We see this contrast beautifully illustrated in Matthew 2, where the wise men traveled for up to two years pursuing peace and found it in worshiping Jesus, while King Herod, representing self-reliance, was disturbed by the very same news. The paradox of Christmas is that Silent Night required a Violent Night—Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross so we could experience true reconciliation with God. The world's peace plan is escapism, but Christ's peace plan is arrival—He steps into our darkness rather than helping us run from it. This Christmas, we're challenged to stop pursuing peace through endless scrolling, distractions, or self-help, and instead receive the Light that came into the world. When we believe and receive what Christ has done, His peace becomes an internal reality that's greater than any external chaos we face.