PAIN, PRESSURE, AND PEACE
Some of my fondest memories have been made during Christmas. I love gathering around a decorated tree with my family. I love the smell of pine and cinnamon. I love listening to Christmas music on the radio — as long as it’s more than two days after Thanksgiving. I love the family traditions passed down from generation to generation. I love gingerbread cookies (even though the ones shaped like little sock-puppet people kind of freak me out). 

Christmas is a lot like eggnog — it’s really good at first, but somehow loses its appeal by the time it’s over. There’s only so many calories you can handle, right? At its core, Christmas can be a little chaotic. Too much time with family leads to fights. Purchasing a lot of gifts can lead to debt. Loss in your family leads to sorrow while sitting at a table with an empty seat. Lack of solid friendships leads to loneliness. As a matter of fact, Christmas is known to be one of the most depressing seasons for people. 

It’s ironic that we can celebrate peace on earth while struggling to find peace in our hearts. 

READ Luke 2:13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When Isaiah prophesied the coming of Jesus, he called him “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). When the angels announced Jesus’ birth, they said that peace had come to the entire planet. What I love about this particular passage is the specific people who received the announcement. It wasn’t religious leaders. It wasn’t political powerhouses. It wasn’t social media influencers. The angels announced the birth of Jesus to a bunch of shepherds working in the middle of the night. 

The shepherds are some of the most unlikely people to receive this good news. While the angels were singing about peace, these men were inevitably facing three very relatable problems. 

Pressure 
Being a shepherd was a super stressful occupation — especially working the night shift. These sheep were their entire lives and income. They had to protect them, but do you know who finds sheep tasty? Lions, bears, wolves… and me. They felt an unbearable pressure to protect their flocks, especially at night when the angels showed up. 

Pain 
Due to jewish custom, these men were marked as ceremonially unclean. What does this mean? Under ancient laws, a person who had to work with dead animals was marked as “unclean.” An unclean individual was untouchable. They could not go into the market. They had a hard time getting married. They were completely outcast from society. Can you imagine the pain they felt every day? 

Purpose 
Kids in those days probably wanted to be business owners, rabbis, or camel racers when they grew up. They certainly didn’t want to become shepherds. These people inevitably struggled with their purpose in life, as they were stuck in a dead-end career. 

Despite the fact that these men dealt with pressure, pain, and purpose, a heavenly army of angels showed up with a message of hope for all of mankind. The shepherds were the first to know. God specifically chose them to be on the front row of a miracle.

What does this mean for us? Regardless of the pressure we feel, we can find calmness in the prince of peace. Regardless of the pain you have experienced, you can experience progress. Even if you feel like you have no purpose, God has a perfect plan for you. 

There is something fascinating about these shepherds. They were abiding by their flocks in the fields right outside of Jerusalem. This was the religious capital of Judaism where sacrifices were carried out day-in and day-out within the Temple. These shepherds were likely watching over temple sheep — that is lambs that were specifically bred and protected to be sacrificed at the Temple. 

Jesus, the prince of peace, went from the cradle to the cross. Jesus was crucified in that same city — bridging the barrier between God and man. This wasn’t like a temple sacrifice that had to be repeated over and over. This was one final and perfect sacrifice that ultimately brought reconciliation to all of mankind. Colossians 1:20 celebrates that, “God made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” Jesus’ death and resurrection changed the trajectory of the universe. His death brought you life. His scars brought you healing. His resurrection seals your spot in eternity, in perfect union with Him. 

Jesus can bring you peace. 
Peace despite the chaos of Christmas. 
Peace for your broken heart. 
Peace in your family. 
Peace despite your pain. 
Peace despite the pressures around you. 

We can find peace in a personal relationship with Jesus.

TALK IT OUT 
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Q1: What’s one of your favorite Christmas memories?

Q2: Why do you think God chose to reveal the birth of Jesus to lowly shepherds? 

Q3: Have you every struggled to experience peace during Christmas? Why was that?

Q4: What’s one difficult pressure, pain or purpose that you can ask God to replace with peace this Christmas season?