Devotion 6: Chaos at Christmas

Pastor Philip Piasecki

One of my favorite Christmas movies of all time is, “Jingle All The Way.” It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a workaholic Dad who tries, at the last second, to find his son the perfect “Turboman” action figure for Christmas. However, as is common with Christmas movies, nothing goes right and most of the movie is just pure chaos. It showcases the chaotic side of the holidays, with people fighting over gifts and trying to fight the crowds to buy everything they need for the perfect Christmas. Unfortunately, when I think of the holiday season, I do not often think of the word peace. However, that is exactly what Jesus was sent from Heaven to bring upon this world.

Isaiah 9:7 says, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

The Israelites were waiting on their king to come and establish His Kingdom. They expected a great ruler to come and conquer the Romans by force and establish a physical kingdom in their land. Instead, Jesus came born as a baby. He arrived in the most innocent way possible. Even though it was not the way God’s people were expecting, He still had arrived to establish His Kingdom of peace. We too often are looking for something else in our lives to come and bring us peace.

Too often, I find myself being wrapped up in the chaos of this life instead of finding my peace in Jesus. This Scripture teaches us that His peace will increase and of it, “there will be no end!” I do not know about you, but personally, I desire the never-ending peace that only Jesus can offer. We have to understand that the gift that Jesus offers us is so much better than anything that the world can offer us. Around Christmas, we not only have a better opportunity to recognize this gift, but also a better opportunity than normal to share the truth of that gift with those around us. When you see someone who is just being lost in the chaos of this world, do not hesitate to share with them the peace that Jesus offers through His Gospel.