Sermons from Union Christian Church.

Sermons from Union Christian Church.

Sermons from Union Christian Church.

Sermons from Union Christian Church.

Sermons from Union Christian Church.

Sermons from Union Christian Church.

During the Christmas season we hear a lot about peace. Perhaps most famously we hear the story of the angels celebrating Jesus' birth, declaring that this Christ child would bring "peace on earth."

But what kind of peace? Tranquility? The end of conflict? World harmony? And how can we have a sense of this peace in a world that seems to be falling apart around us?

The message of Advent and Christmas is indeed that the Prince of Peace has come. But in order to welcome and enjoy that peace this time of year, we must have a fuller understanding of what the Bible means by the word "peace" and how exactly this newborn Messiah was to bring peace on earth.

If we can do so, the Christmas season can become an opportunity: to find true peace with God, true peace with others, and to share the good news of God's kingdom in a fresh and impactful way: that the coming of Jesus promises us peace, a peace the world does not know, but can know in him.

During the Christmas season we hear a lot about peace. Perhaps most famously we hear the story of the angels celebrating Jesus' birth, declaring that this Christ child would bring "peace on earth."

But what kind of peace? Tranquility? The end of conflict? World harmony? And how can we have a sense of this peace in a world that seems to be falling apart around us?

The message of Advent and Christmas is indeed that the Prince of Peace has come. But in order to welcome and enjoy that peace this time of year, we must have a fuller understanding of what the Bible means by the word "peace" and how exactly this newborn Messiah was to bring peace on earth.

If we can do so, the Christmas season can become an opportunity: to find true peace with God, true peace with others, and to share the good news of God's kingdom in a fresh and impactful way: that the coming of Jesus promises us peace, a peace the world does not know, but can know in him.

We can point to so many things surrounding the Christmas season that fill us with joy: the music, the decorations, the food, the warmth of family, and special times of worship. But are these things the fundamental part of our Christmas joy, or simply reflections of something deeper?

The answer is found in the Gospel of Luke and his telling of the events leading up to Jesus' birth. Particularly, Luke highlights the story of Mary, the young virgin and mother-to-be. While Jesus being conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit should be impressive enough, what stands out as well is Mary's most humble joy in response to the honor God had given her to bear his Son.

Within the nature of Mary's joy (along with other expressions of joy in this narrative) you can find the true meaning of Christmas, and why this type of joy outshines all the others.

We can point to so many things surrounding the Christmas season that fill us with joy: the music, the decorations, the food, the warmth of family, and special times of worship. But are these things the fundamental part of our Christmas joy, or simply reflections of something deeper?

The answer is found in the Gospel of Luke and his telling of the events leading up to Jesus' birth. Particularly, Luke highlights the story of Mary, the young virgin and mother-to-be. While Jesus being conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit should be impressive enough, what stands out as well is Mary's most humble joy in response to the honor God had given her to bear his Son.

Within the nature of Mary's joy (along with other expressions of joy in this narrative) you can find the true meaning of Christmas, and why this type of joy outshines all the others.