A Real Christmas Eve
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” LUKE 2:8-14 ESV
How to experience God’s peace at Christmas:
We experience God’s peace through Jesus
Where did Jesus go to find peace?
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. LUKE 22:39 ESV
“He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.” GENESIS 8:10-12 ESV
“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn.” EXODUS 27:20 ESV
“You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him.” EXODUS 29:7 ESV
“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.” PSALM 52:8 ESV
“Then I said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?’” ZECHARIAH 4:11 ESV
“And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.” MATTHEW 2:23 ESV
“And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.’” MARK 16:6 ESV
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” ISAIAH 53:5 ESV
The olive branch is often used as a sign of peace.