The story that still speaks peace
This year, I found myself directing the children’s nativity play. During rehearsal, one of the seven-year-olds crossed his arms and said, “We did this story last year!” – with a very dramatic eye roll.
I laughed and explained why we tell this story every Christmas: because it is the story – the one that changed the world! It’s a privilege every December to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who brought peace on earth.
As the angels proclaimed:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
Luke 2:14 (NIV)
Every December, we return to the same story – not because it is old, but because it is true. Through Christ Jesus, we find true peace: peace with God, peace within ourselves, and peace we can extend to others.
While directing the play, I asked Joseph to take Mary’s hand and lead her to Bethlehem. Watching that simple gesture, I was struck by a thought: Mary and Joseph, though they had heard the promises about their unborn son, could not possibly have known the full weight of what was to come.
Their child would bear the sins of the world. He would suffer, die, and rise again to bring reconciliation between God and humankind.
As Mary and Joseph walked into the unknown, trusting God’s promises, so too we enter our Christmas season with unknowns.
Maybe it’s navigating a tense lunch with a difficult relative.
Maybe it’s finding the right gift for someone who’s hard to please.
Maybe it’s the quiet worry that we might do something wrong and spoil the day.
But just as God was faithful to Mary and Joseph, He remains faithful to us. Jesus said:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NIV)
Because of Jesus’ work and God’s grace, we can enter every situation as peacemakers – reflecting His peace to those who know Him and bearing witness to those who do not. Through this, He has promised we will be “blessed” and called “sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
So, as you celebrate this Christmas, remember: the story we “do every year” is the story that never stops transforming hearts. Christ’s birth isn’t just history – it’s hope for true peace on earth.
This devotion was written by Rachel Sharp. Rachel is a Relationships & Content Manager for PeaceWise. She is passionate about helping people encounter the true peace that Jesus offers, and has seen first-hand the healing and joy that comes when Christians model His peacemaking love. Before joining PeaceWise, Rachel spent several years working in government relations and later in grant writing and cultural engagement with Christian schools across Australia. She now serves with PeaceWise to equip kids and youth to be peacemakers across Australia and beyond. Rachel lives in Melbourne with her husband and three children, and together they worship at Canterbury Gardens Community Church.
