A Result of Christmas

Two families, living sided by side in the mountains of Kentucky, had been fighting and quarreling for years.  The feud started when grandfather Smith's cow jumped over the stone fence of Grandfather Brown and ate his corn. Brown shot the cow.  Then one of the Smith boys shot one of the Brown boys, in fact, two of them, while the Browns had shot only one of the Smiths.

Bill, the oldest of the Brown family, decided to even up matters, especially, since it was his own father who had been killed. But Bill was called away to war. While he was away his mother had a hard time providing for the family.

One Christmas, the head of the Smith family took his wife and children to church.  Usually he stayed outside, but it was so cold he decided to go in and wait.  The sermon was on Christ, the Prince of Peace.  It struck Smith's heart. On his way home he passed the home of the Browns, and he began to realize what a crime he had committed.  He prayed.  He did more. He determined secretly to help them.  He hired a small boy to carry a basket of food to the Browns, every day.

When Bill came home, and heard of this kindness, he decided to find out whom the generous helper was.  He followed the little boy to the door of Smith's house.  He could not believe his eyes.  When Smith answered his knock, he smiled and declared: "shoot me Bill, if you want to."

But Bill said he had come to thank him for taking care of his family while he was gone.  Then Smith explained to Bill how he had come to a change of heart.  He had heard the story of the first Christmas, the story of the Prince of Peace.  It changed him.

Peace seems absent from much of our world and lives.  We hear of wars and tension spots.

There is often a lack of relational and emotional peace.  Health situations and financial insecurity threatens and robs many of a sense of peace. We as people struggle with a lack of peace with God.

Each one of us can be changed by that first Christmas - by Jesus the Prince of Peace. The angel that appeared to the shepherds wanted them to have peace. He said, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Jesus Christ didn't promise an easy life to those who would receive His forgiveness and surrender their lives to Him.  But in John 16:33, He says, "In me you may have peace."  In another place Jesus talks of why He has come and His purpose.  "Peace I leave with you? My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)   

Christmas reminds us that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came to bring a change and peace to our lives.  His peace can go with us even through any difficult times of life.  Romans 5:1 tells us, "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us."  

Jesus came with great humility and cost, to bring us peace with God!  May His peace be in you, and your family, thru faith in Him?