1. Christmas Tidings Peace on Earth

2. Christmas Tidings Four Sad Tidings: 1) The War Against Christmas 2) The Commercialization of Christmas 2) The Commercialization of Christmas 3) The Debate Over Pagan Roots of Christmas 3) The Debate Over Pagan Roots of Christmas 4) The Confusion of Peace on Earth 4) The Confusion of Peace on Earth

3. Glad Tidings 1) I bring you Good News of great joy of great joy for all people for all people 2) A Savior is Born who is Christ the Lord who is Christ the Lord 3) Peace on Earth good will toward men good will toward men

4. Peace on Earth “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (NIV) peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (NIV) “Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (NASB) among men with whom He is pleased.” (NASB)

5. Prince of Peace “ For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” “There will be no end to the increase of His “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David government or of peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom …” and over His kingdom …” Isaiah 9:6-7

6. Peace = Reconciliation “ For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross, … blood of His cross, … … although you were formerly alienated and hostile in … although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil, yet he has reconciled you in His mind, engaged in evil, yet he has reconciled you in His fleshly body through death … fleshly body through death … Col 1:20-22 Col 1:20-22

7. Peace = Reconciliation “ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, we God through the death of His Son, much more, we shall be saved by His life.” shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:1,10 Romans 5:1,10

8. “ Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, reconciliation, namely that God was in Christ reconciling the world namely that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, … them, … Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us, we beg you on God were entreating through us, we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” II Cor 5:18-20 II Cor 5:18-20