Sometimes our lives are hectic. Sometimes our lives are chaotic. Sometimes our lives are confusing. Sometimes our lives are driven. Sometimes our lives are sad. Sometimes our lives are in disarray. Where are you today? What are your circumstances? God cares about you! The message of Christmas is ‘peace with God for you and me’. God, our Creator, sent His angel messengers with the message long ago and recorded it so you and I would know His truth and plan.

The angels’ message was given in the 1^st century A.D.

Luke 2:⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Why do you think the first words were about fear?

The Savior saves us from the penalty of our sins because He took that penalty on Himself.

The Christ is the promised Messiah.

Because the remedy for our sin was given by God, God extends His good will toward you and me and declares peace between our Holy God and sinful man. What does that mean to you?

What do the words of the angels mean to you?

Jesus’ words at His last supper before He was crucified for our sins

John 14:²⁵ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. ²⁶But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ²⁸Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

What do the words of Jesus mean to you?

In the 1^st century A.D. Paul reminds believers at the church in Colosse

Colossians 3:¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

What do these words mean to you?

In the 1^st century A.D. Paul reminds believers at the church in Ephesus

Ephesians 2:¹ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ²Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: ³Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. ⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) ⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ⁷That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ¹¹Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; ¹²That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; ¹⁵Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; ¹⁶And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: ¹⁷And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. ¹⁸For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. ¹⁹Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

What do these words mean to you?

Do you know this song?

Wonderful Peace – Warren D. Cornell, 1889

1. Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
   In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

• Refrain
  Peace, peace, wonderful peace, Coming down from the Father above!
  Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray In fathomless billows of love!

2. What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
   So secure that no power can mine it away, While the years of eternity roll!

3. I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace, Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
   For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul!

4. And I think when I rise to that city of peace, Where the Author of peace I shall see,
   That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing In that heavenly kingdom will be:

5. Ah soul, are you here without comfort and rest, Marching down the rough pathway of time?
   Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark; Oh, accept this sweet peace so sublime!

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed  and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will  accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti