The focus concept for the second week of advent is peace. One site mentioned that it is because of hope we have peace. As the end of the year approaches and we schedule holiday events, life often kicks into overdrive. Uncertainty creeps in, and all it might take is one unexpected turn to derail the train.
This is when peace quietly knocks. Our hope—the confident expectation that God’s got this (whatever “this” is)—opens the door and invites peace to enter.
*What does it look like for peace to knock on the door of our heart?
*How do we invite peace to enter?
Peace is one of the gifts of Christmas.
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14, NKJV) 
To understand the gift of peace, we look back to the first, or primary, Christmas gift.
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
- God gave us a Savior.
- These two gifts go together.
- The gift of peace is Messiah’s peace, “the way that leads to peace (salvation).”1
- Peace is the “tranquil state of [one] assured of salvation, … fearing nothing from God and content….”(Romans 8:6)1,2
*How is Christmas peace Messiah peace?
*How have you experienced Messiah peace in your life?
Jesus said,
“… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
- Jesus = Messiah = peace = the way to God.
- The way to God is through the Prince of Peace.
Paul used the same word when he wrote to the church at Ephesus about Messiah peace.
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility… and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (Ephesians 2:14, 16-18).
*Why is it significant we come to the Father through Messiah peace?
The next gift listed is “goodwill,” a term we don’t often encounter.
- Here it means God is pleased to bless men through Christ’s birth.
- Consider how happy we are to give a child a special gift.
- God is that much more delighted to give us the gift of His Son!
*Why is God delighted to bless us through the birth of Jesus?
*How can you pass along this special gift to someone this week?
- Bible Hub. “1515. eiréné” (Bible Hub, 2004-2023). https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm
- Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 520
- Bible Hub. “2107. eudokia. (Bible Hub, 2004-2023). https://biblehub.com/greek/2107.htm