As Christmas approaches, the lights and celebrations often stand in stark contrast to the turmoil gripping our world.
From the war in Ukraine and the devastating conflict in Gaza to the struggles in Syria following the autumn of an evil dictator, our time feels heavy with uncertainty and strife.
We may find ourselves asking, Where is God in all this? What is His plan for a world seemingly caught in a perpetual cycle of violence?
These questions echo the cries of those in Biblical times, who too lived under the shadow of war, oppression, and division. Yet, Christmas reminds us of God’s profound answer to this brokenness – a message of hope, peace, and supreme victory.
The world into which Jesus was born was no stranger to turmoil. The Roman Empire ruled with an iron fist, and the Jewish people lived under oppressive occupation. Poverty, violence, and political unrest were rampant. Mary and Joseph themselves were displaced, travelling to Bethlehem for a Roman census, where there was no room for them within the inn (Luke 2:7).
Soon after Jesus’ birth, King Herod, scared of losing his throne, ordered the massacre of innocent children, forcing the Holy Family to flee to Egypt as refugees (Matthew 2:13–16).
This setting is a sobering reminder that God selected to enter history not in a time of peace, but within the midst of suffering and injustice.
The birth of Christ is a robust statement: God is just not distant or indifferent to human pain. Instead, He stepped into it, becoming Emmanuel – “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). The circumstances of Jesus’ birth assure us that God is present, even in our darkest moments.
As we witness the suffering attributable to war and political instability today, it’s natural to ask where God is in all of this. The message of Christmas offers a profound answer: God is with us. He is with the refugees fleeing violence, with families mourning their family members, and with all who work for peace and justice within the face of overwhelming odds.
In Jesus, God identified with the vulnerable and the oppressed. He was born not in a palace but in a manger, to a poor and humble family. As Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a baby is born, to us a son is given… And he will probably be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This “Prince of Peace” got here not to overcome by force but to remodel hearts, offering a peace that transcends circumstances (John 14:27).
God’s plan is just not merely to patch up a broken world but to redeem and restore it completely. The birth of Christ marked the start of this plan – a decisive moment within the battle between good and evil. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus secured the final word victory over sin and death, offering salvation to all who imagine.
However, the fullness of this victory is yet to return. As we await the promised return of Christ, when He will establish His kingdom of perfect justice and peace, we’re called to be His hands and feet on this planet. Micah 6:8 reminds us of our role: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is nice. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to like mercy and to walk humbly along with your God.”
The Bible acknowledges that the world will experience conflict until Christ’s return. Jesus Himself said, “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars… Such things must occur, but the tip continues to be to return” (Matthew 24:6).
Yet, Scripture also guarantees a future where peace and unity will reign.
Revelation 21:4 paints a panoramic picture: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will probably be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
This promise doesn’t absolve us of responsibility in the current. Christmas challenges us to live as ambassadors of peace, reflecting the love of Christ in our relationships and communities. Every act of kindness, forgiveness, and reconciliation is a glimpse of the dominion to return.
Amid the chaos of the world, Christmas is a time to keep in mind that God has not abandoned us. The birth of Jesus is a beacon of hope, reminding us that light shines within the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5). It is a celebration of God’s unrelenting love for humanity and His commitment to redeeming His creation.
Christmas can be a call to motion. It challenges us to reflect on what it means to follow Christ in a world eager for peace. The angels who announced Jesus’ birth declared, “Glory to God in the best heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” (Luke 2:14). This peace is just not passive; it calls us to be peacemakers, echoing Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will probably be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
In celebrating Christmas, we’re reminded that God’s answer to a broken world was to not send a military but a baby – a Saviour who would bring hope and healing. This hope is just not naïve; it’s rooted in the idea that good is ultimately stronger than evil since it is grounded in God’s character and guarantees.
The love that entered the world on that first Christmas continues to be at work, transforming lives and pointing us towards a future where peace and unity will prevail.
So, as we light candles, sing carols, and gather with family members this Christmas, allow us to also remember those that are suffering and commit ourselves to being instruments of God’s peace. For in doing so, we honour the true meaning of Christmas and proclaim the hope that Christ brought into the world – a hope that no war or conflict can extinguish.
Duncan Williams is outreach director for the Christian Free Press and has worked for Son Christian Media here within the UK and Recovery Network Radio within the United States. He is an ordained minister and a long-term member of Christians in Media. He provides content and syndicated news for regional publisher www.inyourarea.co.uk
