Seeking peace by our own efforts is an endless pursuit, but God instructs us with a peace that surpasses understanding. We receive His peace in five separate ways that meet our needs, perhaps before we even know them. Using a five-point Christmas star as a metaphor, see the five ways Jesus brings peace from God as the Prince of Peace.

Midweek Week One

Look Up! The Star of Peace Draws Near

While we often seek peace through more possessions, God’s great gift has already come. God stops us as a wise Father and says, “Look up and see a lasting star and treasure, the gift of My Son.”

Midweek Week Two

Peace to All, Near & Far

In week two of Advent, we have two contrasting pursuits of peace. These two make the two middle points of the star. First, Peace is a place a long way away. Peace is leaving it all behind. Peace is that perfectly calm lake. But God’s true peace comes in the middle of the storm when the Savior is in the boat with us. Second, we might also seek Peace as the past — if only we could erase it. If we could rearrange all the pieces of our past, putting some pieces far away, we imagine the peace we seek might finally come. But God comes to us where we are and says, “Peace be to you.” God “makes peace by the blood of His cross.” () Peace comes at the cross where we are completely forgiven. We find peace in God’s telling of His Son’s story, His death and His resurrection. In that story, we are not just better. In that story, we’re forgiven and at peace.

Midweek Week Three

Our Peace Rests on Him Alone

In Advent week three, we finish the star with the two points at the bottom of the star. First, Peace is with people when they follow your directions. If everyone would only listen to us and do what we say, there would be peace. We think of Jesus as the Messiah, the Prince of Peace. And yet, Jesus says in that He has come to bring not peace but a sword to divide the world. What brings peace finally to the world? Jesus brings peace by stepping into the center of our troubled world. Letting Himself be the focus of the world’s anger. Therefore, Peace is finding our Purpose. All this work to get ready for Christmas — why bother? What will bring us peace when so much is still undone? We find our peace rests not in our work but in following Him, the Prince of Peace. He filled the manger and the cross and there we find our peace.