1. Christmas Eve 2017

2. The Nativity Story – Peace to Men
Jesus comes to bring reconciliation to the Father – a message of “comfort and joy”
Isaiah 9:6 - And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:14 - “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”
Jesus’ genealogy – Abraham to David, David to exile, exile to Messiah – 14 generations in each period.

3. The Nativity Story – Peace to Men
What is this peace, that is announced and that we are promised?
Spiritual peace – eternal – peace with God
Emotional peace – internal – peace with self
Relational peace – external – peace with others

4. The Nativity Story – Peace with God
Jesus came to reconcile mankind to God
This is the peace we can enjoy in our relationship with our Father, through Jesus and by faith – the gift of the Holy Spirit
Can be hard-won, and hard to maintain
Rare to find people who are at peace, all the time
Pray for it, ask for it, have faith for it!

5. The Nativity Story – Peace with God
Isaiah 9: years before Jesus was born
Messiah will be called Prince of Peace
Luke 2:14 – the Angels announced Jesus’ birth, saying, glory to God and “on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests”
John 14:27 – Jesus told His disciples, “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.”

6. The Nativity Story – Living at peace
How to live at peace?
The Bible has 790 verses relating to peace!
Spiritual. emotional, relational peace
Peace with God = eternal
Peace within ourselves = internal
Peace with others = external

7. The Nativity Story – Spiritual peace
If you don’t feel close to God, you feel out of sorts.
But God is never far off!
2 Corinthians 5:18 – Jesus has made peace
Romans 5:1, 5:10 – we were enemies – not now!
Hebrews 7:27 – Jesus died once and for all

8. The Nativity Story – Emotional peace
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as
members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Shalom – more than “peace” – wellbeing, happiness,
comfort, serenity
You can have peace in every situation!
Peace with God leads to knowing
the peace of God – internal peace
Matt 6, Luke 12 – Do not worry!

9. The Nativity Story – Relational peace
When we feel far from God, and we are troubled in ourselves, this can separate us from others
We are hard-wired for relationships!
How can we have true unity when we are so diverse, each unique, with our own perspectives, ideas, ambitions, emotions?
It can only be through Jesus!

10. The Nativity Story – Jesus is our peace
Ephesians 2:14 – For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility …
15 … to create in himself one new humanity out of the two …
22 … And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

11. Live in Peace
2 Cor 13:11 – Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Hebrews 12:14 – Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Living in peace is possible, it is desirable, and it is an expectation of Christians; it is desired by God, it is offered freely by Jesus, and made possible through the Holy Spirit How to live life in peace? That will come in my next talk.

12. The Grace
The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ And the love of God And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit Be with us all Now and for ever Amen.

13. Have a blessed Christmas