Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Advent-Christmas Devotional - 2017 - single page | Page 33

Jesus’ Peace
Wednesday, December 27th
Luke 2:10-11
It was the most wonderful time of the year. At least that’s what the songs on the radio were telling you. Yet
Christmas is also among the loneliest times for people. You build up to big meals. You buy big presents.
You get together with family from all over the country. And then it all stops.
Christmas can also serve as a dark reminder of how relationships were, but aren’t anymore. You remember
loved ones who can no longer join your Christmas dinner because they are in heaven. You relive tensions
that seem to have been in your family forever. Some days you might feel like a stranger even in your own
house. It’s feels lonely as you say goodbye at the airport and wonder when you’ll see each other again.
Furthermore, Christmas can turn into a time of stress and worry. It has its sad and lonely moments. But
God wants you to know you are not alone. God has not left your side. He is here to help. That was true on
the first Christmas.
As shepherds watched their flocks in the lonely hours of the night, God sent his angels with a message of
peace: 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. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:10-11
Those words are not just for shepherds keeping watch in a field near Jesus’ birth place. They are for you.
Those words speak to the joy we have as we celebrate Jesus’ birth, even in the midst of loneliness.
…Do not be afraid. Your fears are not bigger than Jesus. He’s here to help.
…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. You are not left out. The joy Jesus
came to bring is for everyone. If this joy is for everyone, this joy is also for you.
….A Savior has been born to you. Jesus was born to save you from your sins. He saved you from hell.
He able to save you from loneliness and give you peace.
…He is Christ the Lord. He is the promised one who would bring us peace with God. He will lead you to
heaven, and lead you every step of the way until you get there. Jesus is your peace.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, continue to comfort me with your peace. Amen.
Activity: God does not want you to feel alone. Many times, when you felt lonely or scared, God used other
people to encourage you. Think about five people in your life who have encouraged you when you felt
lonely and try to encourage them like they encouraged you.
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