(December 19, 2024) Angeline Selvakumari shares transforming truths…

As the holiday season unfolds, the world is adorned with vibrant displays of festivities, twinkling lights, and joyful carols. Yet, amid these celebrations, a profound yearning for peace, healing, and hope lingers in the human heart.

Christmas— the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth— delivers a transformative message of peace that transcends traditional festivities. Through Christ, we find not only the joy of the season but also a deep, enduring peace that brings healing and liberation from sin, shame, and the anxieties of a fractured world.

The Christmas story, depicted in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, heralds a new dawn of hope for humanity. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!’ (Luke 2:14ESV). In this proclamation, peace is inseparably linked with the joy of Christ’s birth— a glimpse into the profound impact He would have in reconciling humanity to God.

Isaiah’s prophecy captures this message beautifully: ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’(Isaiah 9:6ESV). The title Prince of Peace encapsulates Jesus’s mission to bring peace to a world marred by sin and strife.

This amazing peace that the Prince of Peace offers is—

1. Secured Anchorage!
In life’s turbulent moments, the peace of God becomes an anchor for our souls!

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7ESV, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’

This peace is transformative, offering security and calm amid life’s storms (Hebrews 6:19). Through Christ, we are invited into a relationship with God that assures us of His constant presence and care. Whether during the festive season or times of personal sorrow, His peace envelops us, reminding us that we are not alone!

2. Liberating Freedom!
One of Christmas’s most powerful messages is the freedom from sin and shame offered through Jesus (John 8:36)!

Humanity’s brokenness, marked by sin and guilt, often results in feelings of inadequacy and shame. The birth of Jesus signifies divine intervention aimed at redemption. As the angel Gabriel assured Mary, ‘… nothing will be impossible with God’ (Luke 1:37ESV).

Paul reinforces this message, who poignantly states in Romans 8:1ESV that ‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ This proclamation is one of hope and freedom. Jesus bore our sin and shame on the cross, offering not only forgiveness but also a new identity as beloved children of God.

3. Powerful Forgiveness!
The arrival of the Messiah was not merely a miraculous event but the initiation of a new covenant between God and humanity. Jesus came to save us from our sins, as Matthew 1:21ESV proclaims: ‘She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’

The peace of God is profoundly tied to the forgiveness we receive through Christ. This forgiveness dismantles the chains of sin and shame, allowing us to walk in newfound freedom.

As Paul writes in Colossians 1:13-14ESV, ‘He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.’

Embracing this truth frees us from the weight of the past, lifting the burden of guilt and enabling us to live fully in the present. Christmas, therefore, becomes a celebration of that freedom— a freedom to approach God with confidence, no longer defined by our past mistakes.

4. Hope’s Beacon!
Amid the festive lights and joyful gatherings, many silently grapple with brokenness, disillusionment, and despair. The trials of daily life— strained relationships, communities affected by violence, and the heavy grief of loss— can cloud the season’s joy. In such a world, the birth of Christ offers a steadfast beacon of hope. 

Jesus’s arrival symbolises God’s unchanging commitment to humanity. As the light of the world, He shines against the darkness. John 8:12ESV affirms, ‘Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”’ This light brings hope, even when life feels overwhelming.

Paul reminds us that our hope is anchored in our faith in Christ— a hope that touches both the present and the future. In Romans 15:13ESV, he prays, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.’ As we reflect on the hope Jesus brings this Christmas, we are called to share that hope with others, assuring those who are suffering that solace can be found in Christ.

5. Hardships Unburdened!
The message of Christmas extends a hand to those burdened by hopelessness. Many feel lost or overwhelmed, weighed down by life’s hardships.

Yet the prophet Jeremiah offers this reminder: ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11).

Jesus embodies this hope. His life and teachings offer comfort and purpose, assuring us that our circumstances do not define our worth or potential. In a world yearning for meaning, the Christmas message urges us to trust in Jesus who sparks hope even in life’s darkest moments.

6. Encouraging Reconciliation!
Our world faces countless challenges— conflict, poverty, injustice, and division. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we are reminded that He came to address the heart of these struggles and persue peace.

Jesus is not just the bearer of peace; He is its very essence, calling us to be peacemakers in our own lives. Matthew 5:9ESV states, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.’

Throughout His ministry, Jesus exemplified peacemaking by reaching out to the marginalised, reconciling adversaries, and healing the brokenhearted. His example encourages us to actively pursue peace within our relationships and communities.

Know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace in a troubled world!

7. God’s Assurance!
In times of anxiety, God invites us to seek His presence. In Psalm 23:4ESV, David proclaims, ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.’ This assurance of God’s presence reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles. 

Additionally, in 1Peter 5:7, we are encouraged to ‘Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.’ No burden is too heavy for Him to bear.

By entrusting our fears and anxieties to God, we experience a profound release and an infusion of His peace.

Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and restore the afflicted. In moments of despair, we can turn to Him as our source of strength.

In Isaiah 61:1ESV, the prophet declares, ‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.’

This promise extends to emotional, spiritual, and physical healing. By looking towards Christ, we find solace in knowing He understands our pain. He invites us to lay our burdens at His feet, receiving restoration and hope in return.

9. Embraced Peace!
Jesus is the ultimate source of peace! As we navigate the complexities of life, it is essential to recognise that Jesus is the ultimate source of peace. He offers not only tranquility amid turmoil but also a foundation of eternal hope.

To experience this peace, we must nurture a relationship with Christ through prayer, scripture, and fellowship. Philippians 4:8ESV encourages us to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable— those that are excellent or worthy of praise. By centring our minds on these virtues, we welcome God’s peace into our daily lives.

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes peace. As we walk in the Spirit and submit to God, we naturally embody this peace in our interactions and choices. Peace becomes not merely a feeling but a way of life, expressed through our love and compassion for others.

10. Manifested Love!
The church plays a pivotal role in bringing Christ’s peace to a troubled world. As the body of Christ, we are called to manifest God’s love and grace in real, tangible ways. This becomes the church in action!

In Ephesians 2:14-16ESV, Paul writes, ‘For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility.’  

This passage emphasises that through Christ barriers are dismantled, and unity is established. In a divided world, the church should be a beacon of hope, exemplifying forgiveness and reconciliation. Our actions become a powerful testament to the peace Christ provides healing the human heart from fear, anxiety, and depression!

The holiday season often heightens these feelings for many. The contrast between societal expectations and personal struggles can lead to overwhelming emotions. However, Jesus offers profound healing and restoration to our weary souls.

As we experience the transformative peace of Christ, we are called to share it with the world. In a society marked by division and unrest, our Christian witness becomes a testament to the hope found in Jesus. This Christmas, let us invite others to experience God’s peace alongside us.

*** The Above is the True Spirit— the Real Spirit— of Christmas!
Christmas is more than just a holiday; it encapsulates the divine message of peace, hope, and healing. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that true peace lies in a relationship with Him.

Our freedom from sin, the hope He offers amid brokenness, and His call to be peacemakers all deepen our understanding of this season’s significance.

In a world that often feels chaotic and divided, Jesus stands as a beacon of hope and reconciliation. Through His love, we reflect God’s heart, sharing His peace with a troubled world. Let us embrace the true spirit of Christmas by allowing His peace to transform us and by extending that peace to others. 

In the words of Paul, ‘And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful’ (Colossians 3:15ESV). May this Christmas bring us closer to this peace, rooted in Christ, and empower us to share it with a world in need.

______________________________­­­­_______________

  Pastor Angeline Selvakumari is Honourary Editor–in–Chief Echo of His Call, India’s Spiritual Newspaper, and Dr S Sam Selva Raj’s daughter. In furthering Echo of His Call ministries, established 1969, Dr Sam broadcasts 5–minute YouTube messages in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu daily, trusting the Lord to provide for the costs. Link: sam@echoofhiscall.org 
______________________________________________