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The Angels' Song - Tracy 2
Sermon Summary
Tracy teaches that true peace, as promised by God and revealed through Jesus—the ultimate peacemaker—is not merely the absence of conflict but the wholeness and restoration of our relationship with God and others, inviting us to seek Him for completeness and to follow His example in making peace in our lives and communities.
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The story of Christmas is not just a tale of angels and shepherds, but a profound declaration of peace—God’s peace—breaking into our world. As we approach Christmas, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and nostalgia, but the angelic proclamation in Luke 2 is a radical promise: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” Yet, when we look around, true peace often seems elusive. Wars rage, relationships fracture, and our own hearts can feel restless and incomplete.
To understand this peace, we must return to its biblical roots. In the Old Testament, “peace” (shalom) is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness, restoration, and completeness. The priestly blessing in Numbers 6—“The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace”—was a gift, a divine act of restoration between God and his people. Today, through Jesus, we are offered this same peace, not through rituals or sacrifices, but as a gift of grace. Jesus is the one who completes us, who fills the God-shaped hole in our hearts, and who restores our relationship with our Creator.
Life is full of “munted pieces”—brokenness, regrets, and gaps we try to fill with things that don’t fit. Like a jigsaw puzzle with a missing or damaged piece, we can feel incomplete. But Jesus is the missing piece, the only one who can truly make us whole. This peace is not passive; it’s not just about keeping the status quo or avoiding conflict. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers or peacebuilders. Peacemaking can be costly—it may require hard conversations, confronting injustice, or even disrupting the status quo for the sake of restoration.
Jesus himself said he did not come to bring peace as the world defines it, but a sword—because true peace sometimes means putting God first, even when it causes tension. Peacemaking is active, sometimes gentle, sometimes bold, but always rooted in love and truth. We cannot build lasting peace with others until we are at peace with God, and this comes through seeking him with all our hearts. As we follow Jesus, the ultimate Peacemaker, we are invited to bring his shalom into our relationships, our communities, and our world—one restored relationship at a time.
Key Takeaways
1. True peace is wholeness, not just quiet:
Biblical peace (shalom) is about being made whole and restored, not simply the absence of conflict. It is a deep, God-given completeness that touches every part of our lives, even in the midst of chaos. This peace is a gift from God, available to us through Jesus, who fills the gaps and mends the brokenness in our hearts.
2. Jesus is the missing piece in our lives:
No matter how we try to fill the emptiness or fix our “munted pieces,” only Jesus can truly complete us. Our attempts to find satisfaction elsewhere leave us restless and unsatisfied, but Christ offers a peace that restores our relationship with God and gives us lasting purpose and value.
3. Peacemaking is active and sometimes costly:
Being a peacemaker, as Jesus calls us to be, is not about avoiding conflict or simply keeping the peace. It often requires courage to address wrongs, speak truth, and pursue restoration, even when it’s uncomfortable or disruptive. True peacemaking may shake things up, but it leads to genuine healing and wholeness.
4. Restoration with God precedes peace with others:
We cannot build real, enduring peace with others until we are first restored to God. This partnership with the Holy Spirit is essential; it empowers us to forgive, to seek reconciliation, and to love beyond our own strength. Seeking God wholeheartedly is the foundation for all other peacemaking.
5. Jesus’ peace is offered daily—receive and share it:
Jesus greeted and parted with “Shalom Lachem—peace be with you.” His peace is not a one-time event, but a daily invitation to receive and extend wholeness to others. As we go about our lives, we are called to follow his example, bringing peace into every interaction and relationship.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: Peace Is a Gift from God Through Jesus
Scripture:
Luke 2:10-14 (NLT)
‘But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” ‘
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A%2010-14&version=NLT
Devotional:
Peace is a gift from God, offered through Jesus, who became the ultimate offering for us. We don’t need priests or sacrifices anymore because Jesus made the way for us to be restored and made whole. This peace fills the “God-shaped hole” in our hearts and brings true rest and satisfaction.
Reflection:
When you feel restless or incomplete, what are some things you turn to instead of Jesus? How have those things left you unsatisfied?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the good news of great joy that came to us through Jesus. Help us to fear not, to receive Your peace that restores and completes us. May we be filled with Your shalom and share that peace with others as we follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Day 2: The True Meaning of Peace—Wholeness and Restoration in Christ
Scripture:
Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)
‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favour and give you his peace.’
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%206%3A24-26&version=NLT
Devotional:
To have peace, as described in Scripture, is not merely the absence of conflict but the experience of being made whole, restored, and complete. In the biblical context, peace—shalom—means that every part of your life is brought into harmony, both with God and with others. This peace is a gift from God, not something we can manufacture on our own. Jesus is the one who completes us, restoring our relationship with our Creator.
Reflection:
Where in your life do you feel incomplete or restless, and how might you invite Jesus to fill that space with His peace today?
Prayer:
Lord, open my eyes to the fullness of Your peace — shalom. Help me to experience wholeness, restoration, and completeness in You. May I live in the peace that comes from being reconciled with You and others. Thank You for this precious gift.
Day 3: Seeking and Finding God—The Promise of His Presence
Scriptures:
Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2029%3A13&version=NLT
Devotional:
God promises that when you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. This assurance is not just for a select few but for anyone who earnestly desires to know Him. Even if you feel like you have drifted away or are struggling to sense His presence, God’s invitation remains: seek Him, and He will be found. He delights in drawing near to those who earnestly pursue Him, and He promises not to disappoint.
Reflection:
What would it look like for you to seek God with your whole heart this week, and what is one step you can take today to move closer to Him?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be serious in my pursuit of You, to want You more than anything else in this world. Strengthen me and help me to seek You wholeheartedly. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. Amen.
Day 4: Jesus, the Peacemaker—Peace Beyond the Absence of Conflict
Scripture:
Matthew 5:9 (NLT)
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A9&version=NLT
Devotional:
Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker, and He calls His followers to be peacemakers as well. Peacemaking is not simply about avoiding conflict or keeping the peace at any cost; it is about actively working toward restoration, truth, and wholeness, even when it is difficult or costly. Real peace is about putting God first, even if it shakes things up, and allowing Him to restore what is broken in us and in our relationships.
Reflection:
Is there a relationship or situation in your life where God is calling you to be a peacemaker rather than just a peacekeeper, and what courageous step could you take toward restoration?
Prayer:
Jesus, You are our peace offering, the one who restores our relationship with the Father. Thank You for making me whole and complete through Your sacrifice. Amen.
Day 5: God’s Generous Care—Letting Go of Worry and Trusting His Provision
Scripture:
Matthew 6:26 (NLT)
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A26&version=NLT
Devotional:
God knows your needs and cares for you deeply, inviting you to let go of worry and trust in His generous provision. Worry cannot add a single hour to your life, but trusting in God’s care brings a deep sense of peace and security. When you feel anxious about your needs or your future, remember that your heavenly Father sees you, loves you, and is more than able to provide.
Reflection:
What is one specific worry you can entrust to God today, and how might you practice trusting Him with your needs this week?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You tell me not to be afraid. Help me to cast aside fears and doubts, and to respond to You with boldness and confidence. Fill me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, so I can trust You fully and follow where You lead. Amen.
Day 6: Partnership with God—Building Enduring Peace with Others
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:18 (NLT)
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%205%3A18&version=NLT
Devotional:
True peacebuilding is a joint venture with God, made possible only when we are first restored in our relationship with Him. We cannot build lasting peace with others unless we are in partnership with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide and empower us. This means repenting, seeking God’s help, and then moving toward reconciliation with others. As we bring the peacemaker—Jesus—to the table of our relationships, we become agents of real, enduring peace, one relationship at a time.
Reflection:
Who is one person with whom you need to seek reconciliation, and how can you invite God’s Spirit to help you take the first step toward peace?
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the ultimate peacemaker. Teach me to follow Your example — to be a gentle, active, and loving peacemaker in my home, community, and world. Help me to choose peace over being right, to fight for love, and to bring Your peace wherever I go. Amen.
Day 7: Peacemaking Comes at a Cost
Scriptures:
Matthew 21:12-13 NLT
Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2021%3A12-13&version=NLT
Devotional:
The process of making peace—restoring relationships and living in God’s peace—can expose issues that need to be addressed. It might mean having hard conversations or standing up for truth and justice, even if it costs us personally. Jesus Himself showed this when He cleared the temple, confronting wrongdoing for the sake of God’s holiness and peace. Peacemaking is active and sometimes uncomfortable, but it is necessary for true peace to grow.
Reflection:
Are there areas in your life or relationships where following Jesus has caused tension or conflict?
How can you seek God’s peace first and allow Him to guide you in peacemaking?
What does it look like for you to be a peacemaker in your family or community this week?
Prayer:
Jesus, teach me to be a peacemaker like You. Help me to love others well, to speak truth in love, and to seek peace even when it’s hard. May I reflect Your peace in all I do. Amen.
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