Sermon Central
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The Peace Of Christmas Series
Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 1, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: The world in which Jesus was born was not the peaceful, serene place many of us have imagined.
The Peace of Christmas
December 4, 2022
The world in which Jesus was born was not the peaceful, serene place many of us have imagined.
Galilee was under the control of the brutal Roman Empire.
When the Romans captured a region or country, they ruled it with marshal law, and levied heavy taxes that put significant burdens on the people.
Rome took 50%, Herod, the governor, took another 25%, and tax collectors kept 15% or more for themselves.
That left the people with 10% or less of their income to live.
Have you ever wondered why Joseph was living in Nazareth when Bethlehem was his ancestral home?
Many historians argue that Joseph was in Nazareth because his family had lost their land and jobs in Bethlehem and could only find work in Nazareth.
So when Joseph and Mary were in the manger, they were both in awe and were most likely wondering what would happen to their new family.
40% of infants in Galilee died before the age of five.
They had to work non-stop every day just to survive.
The political, economic and spiritual climates of Galilee were in shambles.
Does this sound familiar?
Luke 2:8-14 NIV
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
As followers of Christ, we can have this same peace, even during troubling times.
Why?
His favor rests on us!
Peace is the one thing the enemy cannot counterfeit.
He has a counterfeit for happiness. He has a counterfeit for love.
Peace is not the absence of conflict. It’s a resolve of conflict without violence.
Christ came to the earth and got involved in the mess we had created.
If your life is a mess right now, I have great news. Jesus came to get involved in your mess.
He came to bring us real peace!
“O Lord, save thy people. Give peace in our time.”
Book of Common Prayer 17th Century
Do you have the peace of Christmas in your lives right now?
