Scripture Passage: Isaiah 9:6

It is easy to get so busy and distracted at Christmas that we lose joy and miss the real meaning of Christmas. In reality, Christmas is about the fact that we can’t get it right — so, God intervened. The purpose of a holiday or holy day, like Christmas, is to reboot and refocus our lives on what is most important, on the truths we hold dear.

• Talk about what keeps you dazed and out of breath at Christmas.

Isaiah referred to Jesus as the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). We often miss the peace of God because we misunderstand what the peace of God is. His peace is different from that which the world offers.

• How do you define peace?

The peace of God is more than not fighting and more than not working. We often think that having a period of calm or getting a break from work is peace. But, this kind of peace is always short-lived.

The peace of God addresses the true source of the problem. G.K. Chesterton summed up what’s wrong with the world in a response to a request to write an op ed on the topic. Chesterton simply wrote, “I am.”

Augustine wrote, “God made us for Himself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Him.” Peace is God found only in Him.

According to Philippians 4:4-8 …

• the peace of God is focused on us.
• the peace of God will guard (to garrison) us.
• the peace of God surpasses all comprehension.

The peace of God did not come to settle your circumstances, the peace of God came to settle your soul.

We receive God’s peace when we turn from worry to worship. We must shift our focus from ourselves and our problems to God. Why worship?

1. Worship reminds us that God is in control.

2. Worship reminds us that God is close — He is near (Heb. 13:5).

3. Worship reminds us that God is personal. He wants to hear from us, to interact with us, to have fellowship with us.

4. Worship reminds us that God is good. We can trust that He is at work on our behalf.

• What steps can you take this Christmas to reboot and refocus on the true meaning of Christmas?