Peace with God is miraculous and unexpected.  Let me explain that. Many assume upon God’s smile.  Most can’t imagine there would be anything but peace with God.  Despite strife globally, in our homes or workplaces, many presume upon God’s favour. Even if some acknowledge that they have shown little interest in God, surely God is still on their side. Most can’t imagine that God is offended by them and has closed the door of access into His presence. They can’t imagine that, at this moment, they are God’s enemies. Many greet such news in utter shock!  And yet, Ephesians 2:3 calmly declares that all human beings are, by nature, the objects of wrath. Most don’t realize they are in conflict with God.

Once we understand that it is not we who are offended by God; rather, God is offended by us; we think differently about peace with God.  That such a thing is even remotely possible is indeed miraculous and unexpected. In this world, we expect to find wars, conflicts, disappointments, disease and eventually death.  And indeed, that which is expected is that which is occurring.  Regardless of the best wishes that accompany this season, we all know that after every Christmas, the troubles of the world will continue without end.  That we would find peace with God is unexpected.

The Christmas story is told best in that one famous Bible verse.  John 3:16 (ESV) surprises us with the words, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  Christmas is the story of an offended God who acted in love for those who had offended Him.  It is not the story that we found a way to appease the offended God and be reconciled to him.  It is the story that God found a way to reconcile the unworthy.

And so, having been reconciled to God through Jesus, we finally find that which we would not have thought possible.  Of course it is possible to feel peace with God, but those feelings are not in keeping with reality.  Often, feelings are manipulated and false.  Like the person who feels euphoria when a medical quack administers a fake cure for a cancer that is killing them.  They feel peace to be sure.  But soon, the peace will disappear when the crushing reality of the fatal cancer has not disappeared at all.  That is not the story of Christmas.

Christmas is the story of a world locked in darkness.  Light could no longer be expected.  We had all offended eternal holiness, and could only expect the rightful penalty of our transgression.  But then, instead of retribution, we received grace.  And instead of the offended wrath of a holy God, we received the loving grace of that same holy God.

Peace with God means that the offense between us and God has been taken away.  God is no longer angry with us.  His anger was satisfied when Christ bore the anger of the Father on the cross.  After all, that is why Christ came.  That is the celebration of Christmas.  He came to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Hence, our debt before God is wiped away.  Nothing now prevents us from celebrating a loving relationship with the infinitely holy God.  We are objectively at peace.  And for that reason, we are also at peace in our emotions.  God is our God.  We are His children.  We will be this for eternity.  We are at peace.