When we think about Christmas, many of us picture a peaceful scene—Mary and Joseph with the newborn Jesus, shepherds standing in awe, wise men kneeling with gifts, and animals quietly nearby. Or perhaps we think of families gathered around a Christmas tree, singing carols and opening presents. These images stir feelings of warmth, wonder, and peace.
But when we look closely at Scripture—and at the purpose of Christ’s first and second Advent—Christmas is far more profound and far more urgent than sentimental imagery. Christmas marks a decisive moment of divine intervention in a world separated from God and overwhelmed by darkness.
At creation, God established the world in perfect harmony. Humanity lived in complete communion with God, with one another, and with creation. This is shalom—biblical peace—meaning wholeness, completeness, and flourishing (Gen. 1–2). But when Adam and Eve chose independence over obedience, when they shifted the source of life from God to self, that peace was shattered. Darkness entered the world. Sin fractured every part of human existence—emotionally, relationally, physically, and spiritually—separating us from the life of God (Rom. 5:12). The world created for harmony now lived in dissonance.
Dissonance is the tension between how life should be and how life actually is. Music gives us a helpful illustration. Composers often use unstable combinations of notes to create tension—expressing pain, grief, or conflict—because something is out of place. That tension creates a longing for resolution. Only when the notes return to harmony do we experience peace.
That dissonance described the world in Isaiah’s day—and it describes our world today. In Isaiah chapter 8, Israel stopped looking to the Lord for wisdom, identity, and security, and instead turned to the surrounding culture to fill the void. Isaiah declares, “They will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be driven away into darkness” (Isa. 8:22). Their despair deepened, the dissonance grew—and instead of repentance, they blamed God.
Yet God responded, not with abandonment, but with a promise.
The Promise of Peace
In the midst of darkness, hope breaks forth. Isaiah 9:1–2 declares:
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress…
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
Isaiah speaks of the future as though it has already happened. That is how certain God’s promises are. God Himself enters our darkness. The word darkness appears twice—first describing spiritual lostness, and second referring to the shadow of death. Isaiah is speaking to all of us (Heb. 9:27). Death shows no partiality. It does not care about status, intellect, wealth, or age.
In the midst of spiritual darkness and the certainty of death, Isaiah proclaims that hope is coming—and when this Hope arrives, joy increases.
But who is this Hope?
The Person of Peace
Isaiah 9:6 tells us:
“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor. We seek counselors for finances, careers, marriages, and crises—but only Christ gives counsel that transforms hearts and determines eternal destiny.
He is Mighty God—all-powerful over every enemy, obstacle, and fear. He is never defeated.
He is Eternal Father—His kingdom has no end. Unlike any earthly father, He is always present, always faithful, and able to provide for every need.
He is the Prince of Peace—literally, the Prince whose coming brings peace.
Micah adds further clarity. Writing to a nation at war, Micah prophesies that the Messiah would come not from a place of power or prestige, but from a humble, insignificant town—Bethlehem (Mic. 5:1–5a). The angels in Luke’s Gospel confirm this: the Savior is found in a stable, lying in a feeding trough.
This is striking, especially when we remember that Jesus was born during the reign of Augustus Caesar, who claimed to be the savior of the world and the bringer of Pax Romana—peace enforced by brute force.
But Micah tells us something radically different about this Savior:
“And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord” (Mic. 5:4). And then, in verse 5:
“This One will be our peace.” (Mic. 5:5)
This is the true message of Christmas: God Himself—the holy, eternal Creator—entered our dark world, became human (John 1:14), lived among us, and died in our place, paying the penalty our sins deserved (Phil. 2:5–11), so that we could have peace with God.
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
No other religion, philosophy, or worldview makes this claim. Every other system places the burden on humanity to achieve peace with God. Only Christianity declares that God placed the burden on Himself so that we could have.
Personal Peace
God reconciled the weary world to Himself (Isa. 53; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2). This is the resolution to the dissonance—begun at Christ’s first Advent and completed at His second.
Jesus promises:
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] (John 14:27 AMP)
Yesterday, Daniel K and I spoke with a young man who said he was into spirituality. When we asked what he was searching for, his answer was simple: peace. Another young man said the same. I believe this longing is universal. I believe most people desire to have peace with God, with themselves, and with others.
If you are here today and have not yet made your peace with God through Jesus Christ, He is offering you a free gift—eternal life and true peace.
For those who have already made peace with God, this promise of peace is progressive. As we grow in our relationship with Christ—allowing Him to address the dissonance in our lives through His Spirit and His Word—we experience deeper freedom and greater rest. God designed us for peace. And when Christ returns, that peace will be complete and eternal.
This Christmas, I invite you to reflect honestly:
Where is there dissonance in your life right now?
Where have you been looking for peace apart from Jesus—what void are you trying to fill without God maybe through trying to control your circumstance, success, distraction, or self-effort?
If you have never trusted Christ, the challenge is simple and urgent:
Receive the Prince of Peace today. Stop looking to the earth. Look to the Lord. Come to Him in faith.
And for those who belong to Christ:
As the Lord speaks to you surrender those areas of unrest to Him. Let the Wonderful counselor guide you, His power strengthen you, let His truth set you free and His peace rule your heart.
This weary world still groans—but when Jesus becomes the source of your peace, it rejoices.
