Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.—John 14:27 NIV

The brightly decorated house caught my eye. In the center of the yard, in bright green colors, I read these words: Peace On Earth. It’s a common phrase at Christmastime. Not only do we see it in our decorations, but also in greeting cards and in the words of Christmas carols. Peace is also the theme for the second week of advent.

Recently a friend pointed out the irony of equating peace with Christmas. Loss of loved ones, financial stress, and balancing conflicting expectations can make the holidays anything but peaceful. And while we may feel it more intensely during this season, life is rarely tranquil. Some people have even called peace a temporary reprieve from the hardships of life. And on a global scale, the lack of peace is even more evident.

So how do we reconcile this with the fact that Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), came to bring peace on earth? It helps me to remember these words from Jesus:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.—John 14:27 NIV

Jesus shared these words with His disciples just before He went to the cross. He knew that His death would severely test their faith. Jesus also knew they would face many difficulties in the future as they carried the gospel throughout the world (John 16:33). Most of them would die as martyrs. To prepare them for the difficulties ahead, Jesus gave them the gift of His peace.

The Greek word translated as peace is eiréné. Just like our English word, eiréné was often used to describe the absence of war and conflict. But the biblical understanding of eiréné conveyed a sense of inner well-being and tranquility. This peace is rooted in our relationship with God—a relationship made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus. 

Jesus doesn’t give us the peace defined by the world—freedom from trouble or disturbances. Instead, we experience His peace in the midst of our troubles. This is the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). 

And this is the peace we remember and celebrate at Christmas. At Jesus’ birth the angels said:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV)

As believers and followers of Jesus, this peace is ours and it can never be taken from us—no matter what troubles we experience in this broken world. During this Christmas season people are wondering about Jesus and the peace He promises. Let’s remember to shine His light of peace as we share the good news of His birth.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to this world and bringing Your gift of peace. In this world, peace often feels elusive. As we remember and celebrate You during this Christmas season, help us to shine Your light to those around us. We want them to experience the peace that only You can give. We pray this in Your name. Amen.