Prince of Peace

In December 1914, after months of fighting in the first World War roared across the front lines of Europe, a spontaneous Christmas truce swept through. Brave British, French, and German soldiers popped their heads above the trenches and waved white flags. They wandered into the center of No Man’s Land and exchanged goods. Screams of mortar and artillery fire stilled and the singing of “Silent Night” stirred.

For a brief moment, peace came to the earth.

Christmas has a way of doing that. Celebrating Christ—inviting Him in—tends to get people out of their trenches, encourage good will, and bring peace to hearts.

But then the calendar flips and the strife resumes. We wonder if it was all just a nice, but unsustainable dream. No matter how enlightened we are, we struggle to make and sustain peace.

We still need a savior. We still need the Prince of Peace. In our world, in our homes, we need Jesus to help us to love and to bring us peace.

“Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”

Luke 2:14 (CEV)

We cannot make the world a perfect place for our children. Even when we try to create a sheltered home for them, their human hearts are too often driven to jealousy, selfishness, anger. But when we help them see their need for Jesus, when they learn to confess their faults and seek forgiveness, when they allow the Lord to change their hearts and their actions. . .then they can know true peace and be peacemakers.

PRAY

Lord Jesus, we need You to come again into our home. We confess that we are so selfish, and it causes us to argue and hurt each other. Show us how to keep focused on You and the peace You bring now and after the holidays.Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): What does peace mean to you? Do you think we have a peaceful home? What could make it more filled with peace?

Apply: Start the day with blessing your kids. Read Numbers 6:24-26 to them.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Numbers 6:26

John 14:27

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This devotional was written by Tonia Gutting for the Hero Squad Program of the American Bible Society. Hero Squad provides complimentary faith-based resources to strengthen and encourage Military families through God’s Word. For more information or to enroll your Military family, check out our website.www.myherosquad.org.