In a year that’s seemed to have had its share of tumult, it’s likely that many are yearning to glimpse and feel the deep peace that the true meaning of Christmas promises – to see at least hints of peace displace unconscionable war and political violence, as well as other outcomes of anger, hatred, greed, and ill intent.
How can we start to glimpse this peace? The biblical prophet Isaiah foretold the advent of the deliverer of peace. During his time, when the world was rocked by political instability, war, and destruction, he prophesied the coming of a Savior, the Messiah or Christ, who would bring peace to the world: “Unto us a child is born, … and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called … The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Then, upon Jesus’ birth several centuries later, angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
What is this peace, and how can we avail ourselves of it today?
In his life and healing ministry, Jesus brought to light the peace-giving power of Christ, the spiritual truth of God’s unchanging, wholly good government. Right where darkened human consciousness saw discord and strife, Jesus recognized something else – the truth that God, divine Love, was and is the only real power governing the universe. This enabled Jesus to, for instance, walk through an angry crowd that wanted to kill him, as well as to still a storm that threatened to capsize the boat he was in with his disciples.
Jesus told his followers, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). Enduring peace is still found today through Christ, Truth – through the spirit of Christ, which Jesus fully exemplified. Since the source of Christ is God, the peace of Christ comes with all the power and permanence of God behind it.
Christ comes to each of us in wonderfully unique ways – in language that speaks to our heart and guides us to truth. Christian Science explains, “Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness” (Mary Baker Eddy, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 332). We need to listen for this Christ message and be willing to let it fill our thoughts and govern our actions. We recognize it by the peace it brings.
The material world – with all its sin, divisiveness, tyranny, war, crime, and violence – seems so solidly real, yet Jesus indicated that any type of evil comes from “a liar, and the father of [lies]” (John 8:44). He didn’t ignore evil; he brought the light of Christ to bear on it. Under the light of spiritual reality, evil’s claims are seen for what they are – untrue, illusory, and powerless. We see this proved in our experience as we understand and persist in knowing that the power of God and His Christ is unassailable.
Beneath all the turmoil and trouble is the great truth that existence is spiritual – the wholly good and harmonious creation of God, divine Spirit. Truly understanding this stills strife.
One time, a troubled teenager with a criminal history threatened to harm me. Others in the room were afraid for my safety. What came to my thought as I looked at this young man was that the Christ that was speaking to me was also speaking to him. This simple thought gave me a sense of security – of having a safe haven in Christ. I felt guided to stay where I was and cherish the young man’s true spiritual identity as a child of God.
As fear began to lose its grip on the room, tension gave way to calm; the young man resumed his assigned chore, and the incident was over. I had first let Christ’s peace fill my consciousness, and this led to freedom from discord in my actual experience.
If we are disturbed about events on a local, national, or global scale, we can know that no matter how complicated an issue may seem to be, every conflict is made up of the thoughts of individuals. So we don’t need to feel helpless or overwhelmed. Every prayer on our part that recognizes the spiritual reality of God’s government helps to bring light to each individual thought. And, ultimately, that helps move collective thought in a progressive and constructive way.
“O glorious hope! there remaineth a rest for the righteous, a rest in Christ, a peace in Love. The thought of it stills complaint; the heaving surf of life’s troubled sea foams itself away, and underneath is a deep-settled calm” (Mary Baker Eddy, “Message to The Mother Church for 1902,” p. 19).
May the deep-settled calm of Christ be yours in this Christmas season and every day!
Adapted from an editorial published in the Dec. 15, 2025, issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
