Sermon Date: 12/7/2025

Bible Verses:

• Luke 2:8-14

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-

Theme: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

Introduction: When Peace Feels Far Away

Advent is a season of promise—but it’s also a season of tension. We celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, yet we live in a world riddled with chaos, conflict, and pain. If you’ve ever been heartbroken, afraid, or desperate for something to change—you’re not alone. Christmas is not just twinkling lights and warm memories. It’s also tears on the floor of a stable and angels shouting peace into a battlefield.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow knew this well. On Christmas Day in 1863—during the darkest days of the Civil War—he sat alone, grieving the death of his beloved wife, worrying over his wounded son, and listening to the Christmas bells.

He wrote:

“…And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said,
‘For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.’”

Ever felt that way? When the promise of peace seems like a cruel joke? The Candle of Peace is for that moment.

1. Peace Promised: The Angels’ Song

Luke 2:14 isn’t just a gentle lullaby for a holy night. It’s a battle cry from heaven to earth. “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” That’s not wishful thinking—it’s a declaration of divine reality. The angels weren’t pointing to a feeling or a fleeting moment of rest—they were announcing the arrival of a Person whose very presence would shatter the reign of fear.

Before Jesus ever preached a sermon about peace, He was peace. Before He stilled a storm, He was the calm. Before He told His disciples, “Peace be with you,” He was living proof that peace starts from heaven and invades the chaos of earth.

Let’s get this straight:

• Peace isn’t something we achieve.
• Peace isn’t something we earn.
• Peace is something God sent.

Wrapped in swaddling cloths in Bethlehem wasn’t just a baby—it was the very heartbeat of God’s peace nestled into a violent, power-hungry world. Peace doesn’t start with us climbing up to heaven. It starts with heaven coming down to us.

That’s why we light the Candle of Peace. It’s not to remind us of what ought to be. It’s to remind us of what already is—because God Himself has entered our story.

✦ Before Jesus spoke peace—He embodied peace.

2. Peace Troubled: When Angels Sing, but We Hear Cannon Fire

But let’s be honest: not everyone hears angels singing. Some of us hear explosions, arguments, headlines, bad diagnoses, and broken promises. Longfellow looked out on his war-torn world—and into the wounds of his own heart—and confessed, “There is no peace on earth.” And maybe you’ve felt that too.

Jesus doesn’t gaslight us. He doesn’t say, “Just cheer up and believe harder.” Instead, He looks us in the eyes and says:

“In the world you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33)

He calls it like it is. Tribulation—pressure, pain, battles, grief—will come. But here’s the difference: He doesn’t leave us in the darkness. The full verse says:

“…but take heart; I have overcome the world.”

So what’s the promise? Not that we’ll escape the storm—but that Jesus is greater than the storm. Peace isn’t pretending. Peace is trusting Someone bigger than whatever threatens to undo us.

And when Jesus says:

“My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives…” (John 14:27)

He’s drawing a sharp contrast. The world gives peace like a cheap gift—it breaks, it fades, and when life shatters, so does our peace. But the peace of Christ is bulletproof. Blood-proof. Death-proof.

The world gives peace based on circumstances. Jesus gives peace based on His character.

• The world gives peace as long as things are calm.
• Jesus gives peace that thrives because He is present—even in turmoil.

Peace is not the absence of conflict—it's the presence of Christ in the conflict.

✦ Peace isn’t found in the silence of the battlefield—it’s found in the Savior who walks into the battle with us.

3. Peace Practiced: Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Peace began with God. Peace comes through Christ. But peace doesn’t stop there. It’s not a museum relic to be admired—it’s a mission to be lived.

Jesus said:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Notice He didn’t say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” Peacekeepers avoid conflict. Peacemakers enter it with grace and truth. They don’t sweep things under the rug or whisper empty platitudes. They do the hard work of reconciliation because they carry the DNA of the King who reconciled them to God.

Being a peacemaker means:

• Forgiving when you’d rather hold a grudge.
• Listening when you’d rather argue.
• Building bridges when you’d rather burn them.
• Healing wounds you didn’t cause.
• Laying down your rights for the sake of someone else’s redemption.

That’s not weakness—that’s Christlikeness.

Why are peacemakers called “sons of God”? Because they act like their Father. Wherever they go, they bring heaven’s peace into earth’s warzones. They embody the gospel with hands that serve, mouths that bless, and hearts that refuse bitterness a bed to sleep in.

In a world of division, bitterness, and digital shouting matches, true peace is radical. It shines. It disrupts. It reveals the kingdom of God one obedient life at a time.

✦ When the world is noisy and angry, a peacemaker becomes a living sermon—an advent candle in human form.

4. Peace Kept: The Prince of Peace Has the Final Word

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow did not sugarcoat the brokenness around him. He felt the weight of war. He grieved the loss of his wife. He nearly lost his son. And he still dared to hope.

He ended his poem with these words that still ring like church bells across history:

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.’”

This is not wishful thinking—it is a proclamation of faith. The promise of peace is not rooted in what we see but in who God is.

Paul writes:

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Not just in church. Not just at Christmas. Not just when things are good—at all times, in every way.

God’s peace is not fragile—it’s fierce. It doesn’t crumble when cancer comes back, when they walk away, when the nation divides, or when the headlines scream despair. His peace stands because He stands.

Christian peace is not denial—it’s defiance. It doesn’t say, “Everything is okay.” It declares, “Even if everything falls apart, God has not fallen off His throne.” The cross did not have the final word. The grave did not get the last laugh. The Prince of Peace reigns—and His peace will reign with Him.

✦ Peace is not dead. Peace is a Person. And He is alive.

Conclusion: Light the Candle, Live the Peace

As we light the Candle of Peace, we’re not ignoring the darkness—we’re defying it. The light shines in the darkness. The world might offer distraction, denial, or temporary calm. But only Jesus offers peace that:

• Guards the heart,
• Ruins our fear,
• And reigns forever.

So this week, let the bells ring in your soul:
God is not dead. God has not lost. Peace is coming—and peace is here.