Once again we are in the throes of the hectic pace of the Christmas season. Festive lights and decorations; selecting the perfect gift for the perfect (or imperfect) person; the sights and sounds of the season; all these things and much more make the season what it is.

Or do they? Is this really what the season is all about? Is it really about the lights, the decorations, the presents, the family get-togethers, and all the other happenings during this time of year?

For those who embrace the Biblical understanding of Christmas, it is much, much bigger than all the aforementioned traditions of this time of year. It is a story so big, in fact, that it changed the course of history. So momentous is the event being commemorated that it actually split time. The dating of time is now centered around the birth of a baby boy in the town of Bethlehem. Time is now reckoned as before this birth, and after this birth.

Yes, the birth of Jesus Christ brought a division of time. But it also brought a more serious division: a division of humanity. There are so many man-made divisions. There are social divisions, and racial divisions, and ethnic divisions, and socio-economic divisions, and religious divisions, among many others that could be mentioned. But the birth of Jesus Christ brought about a division that separated all of humanity into two distinct groups: Christians and non-Christians; believers and non-believers; those who embrace the gift of Christmas, and those who reject it.

All of the man-made divisions mentioned above fade into insignificance in light of this division of humanity. The divisions of race, ethnicity, society, and any other that can be named loses meaning (or at least it should) in light of the gift of Christmas. True believers come in all varieties of humanity. Yes, red, yellow, black and white are all precious in His sight, and once one has embraced the gift, racial distinctions should be erased.

Part of the Christmas story as recorded in Luke’s Gospel speaks of the fact that Jesus would bring peace into the world. This is not a promise of world peace, and should not be thought of as such. It is peace that is established between an individual human being and God. Jesus provides the means of sinful man being made at peace with God through the redeeming grace of the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

This also means that every true believer in Jesus Christ should now be at peace with every other true believer. All the man-made divisions are destroyed. Red, yellow, black and white become one family of faith.

So, peace is established between sinful man and holy God, which results in peace between all true believers, but it still does not guarantee peace in the world. As a matter of fact, Jesus promised His followers that they would have trouble in this world. He also said that the peace He gives one individual would actually cause a lack of peace between that individual and others, perhaps in his own family, who do not share that peace. Families are sometimes destroyed due to the divisiveness caused by one family member embracing this amazing gift of peace while other members of the same household reject it.

If you are wondering why the message of peace in the Christmas story seems to be a fairy tale, then please remember this. The peace Jesus Christ had with His Father did not spare Him from the horror of crucifixion. The peace He had, and the peace He gives, is not shelter from the storms of life, but rather peace in the midst of the storm.

So, this Christmas season, remember that you are offered peace with God, which will result in you experiencing the peace of God in every circumstance of life. And as you enjoy the festivities of the season, let it all remind you of the real meaning behind it all: the Son of God took upon Himself humanity so that He could offer humanity, HIMSELF! Merry Christmas, and may you experience the fullness of His blessings in your life.