Our lack of peace is the costliest problem we face, manifesting in sleepless nights, strained relationships, addictions, and anxious behaviors. This lack of peace originates from Genesis 3 when sin broke our relationship with God and shattered shalom (wholeness).
Christmas is God's peace plan in action—Jesus came to restore what was lost by destroying the devil's work and paying the price for our sin on the cross.

The Daily Cost of Lost Peace Our lack of peace is not just an emotion—it's an invoice that charges us daily in time, energy, money, and relationships. We can order anything to our door in two hours, but we can't get peace of mind delivered at all. The lack of peace isn't just a modern problem—it's a human problem rooted in sin.

The Origin of Lost Peace: Genesis 3

Genesis 3:8–13 (NIV): "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?' He answered, 'I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.' And he said, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?' The man said, 'The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.' Then the LORD God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?' The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'"

God's Peace Plan: Christmas Luke 2:8–14 (NIV): "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"

1 John 3:5–8 (NIV): "But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."

Christmas is the announcement that the invoice for your chaos has been paid in full. Christmas should change how you act. When you belong to God in the flesh, He gives us freedom from the devil's work.  Do what the shepherds did. When they heard the news, they hurried off and ran to see if it was true. They didn't wait or form a committee. This Week: When you feel old anxiety or are tempted to "pay the bill" with scrolling, drinking, or shopping—stop. Remember the shepherds. Run to Jesus in prayer and faith. Stop trying to pay for a peace that's already been purchased.  If you have peace with God, that changes everything. You don't have to hide anymore. The King has come looking for you.

"Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ. His peace is not a fragile ceasefire with our circumstances, but a foundational treaty, signed in His blood, that re-establishes our relationship with the Father." — Sinclair B. Ferguson

"The peace the world gives is the peace of escape, the peace that comes from the avoidance of suffering and conflict. The peace of Christ is the peace of conquest, the peace that is the fruit of having fought the battle and won the victory." — John R.W. Stott

"Idolatry isn’t just a failure to obey God; it is a setting of the whole heart on something besides God. This false worship is the root of our anxiety and lack of peace, because we are seeking from creation what can only be found in the Creator." — Timothy Keller

"The shalom of God was shattered, and the shalom of humanity along with it. The vertical breach with God immediately produced a horizontal breach between the man and the woman, marked by blame and shame. This is the genesis of all relational chaos." — Michael Horton

"The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices Himself for man and puts Himself where only man deserves to be."
— John Stott

"The fundamental law of human nature is that we become what we worship. We take on the character, the priorities, and ultimately the destiny of whatever god we serve. This is why the loss of the true God leads to the disintegration of the self and the loss of peace." — G.K. Beale

"The atonement is not a process by which God is changed from being against us to being for us. From eternity, God has been for us in Christ. The atonement is the means by which He removes the sin that made us His enemies, so that we can experience the peace for which He has always been disposed toward us." — John Murray

"The manger in Bethlehem and the cross on Calvary are not two separate peace plans. They are two chapters in the one, unified story of God’s costly, condescending love to achieve shalom for His enemies." — Graeme Goldsworthy

Pastor Sam Sutter //Sam@bbcconline.org

Who Should Come to the Lord’s Table?

Those who are truly sorrowful for their sins, and yet trust that these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ;  and that their remaining infirmities are covered by his passion and death;  and who also earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and drink judgment to themselves. 1 Cor. 10:19-22; 11:26-32, Ps. 50:14-16; Isa. 1:11-17

– Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 81

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