Candlelight Services | Prince of Peace | Pastors Daniel & Tammie Floyd

Oh 
[singing]
 come, oh come immen. Manuel 
[singing]
 and ransom 
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 captive Israel 
[singing]
 that mourns in lonely 
[singing]
 exile here until 
[singing and music]
 the son of God appears. Rejoice, reju 
[singing]
 shall come 
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 to thee, oh 
[singing]
 
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 Yeah. 
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[singing]
 Oh come th days rain 
[singing]
 come and 
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 shield our spirit by thine 
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 disperse the gloomy clouds 
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 of light and death dark shine.

Shadows come to life. Rejoice, 
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 rejoice. Emmanuel shall come to me. >> 
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 >> Oh, we 
[singing]
 
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 rejoice. Rejoice. Oh come desire of nations 
[singing]
 mind. All peoples 
[singing and music]
 in one heart and mind. Enmy 
[singing]
 strife and coral seas fill the whole world with heaven's peace 
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 reje 
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 Oh, 
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 oh, reje 
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 come to me. 
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 Oh, is 
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[singing]
 
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 yours >> 
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 >> Your love is 
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((applause))
 hello everybody.

Welcome to Christmas Candle Light at Gateway. We're so glad that you're here. And if you're visiting us for the first time at Christmas, so are we. It's our very first Christmas 
((cheering))
 here. >> And we couldn't be more happy. Right. >> That's right. We want to say Beneneos Felis Vidad. >> That's all I've got.

I'm sorry, but we are so honored that you are here to spend this Christmas time with us. And we pray that the Lord will speak to you this season in a way that maybe he hasn't before and that you will experience and see the love of a precious savior. >> That's right.

We're just wanting to pause, you know, in the middle of all the busyiness and all the list and gifts you still have to get. And if Amazon hadn't got them by tomorrow, they're not coming everybody. It's okay. But just to remember that God himself put on flesh, came in a baby in a manger, and he lived the life you and I could never live.

He lived a perfect life. But he didn't stop in the cradle. He ended up at the cross. And he gave his life so that you and I could have true life. Life to the full is what the book of John calls it. And so we want to remind you of that.

And here's the deal. If you've never received the great gift of Jesus, of forgiveness of sin, of a fresh start, then our prayer is before you leave today that you would encounter the great grace of God in a very personal way. Will you pray with us? Lord, we're so thankful.

So thankful for life. So thankful for your goodness, so thankful that your mercies are new every morning. Great is the faithfulness of our God. I pray for anyone here today that is in need of that grace. Would they open their heart? Would they open their mind to receive all the wonderful things that you have for them?

We fix our eyes on you for this is all about you and all for you. And we pray this in Jesus' name. Everybody said amen. >> Amen. Will you stand with us as together we join in singing some of our favorite Christmas carols? Glor 
[music and singing]
 in ecos. 
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 Angels we have heard 
[singing]
 on high, 
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 sweetly singing over 
[singing]
 the place.

And the mountains 
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 in reply, echoing 
[singing]
 their joyous. 
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 Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyouous strains 
[music and singing]
 prolong what the gladome tidings be which inspire 
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 your heavenly song glories 
[singing and music]
 
[singing and music]
 day Oh 
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 sh 
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 Come to Beth heaven and see him whose birth the angels sing. Come 
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 adore unbanded mee Christ the Lord the newborn king.

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 your glorious 
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 season. 
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 All right. This is the first Noel which means birth. So 
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 we're singing about the first Christmas. So come on, let's join our voices today. We say the first 
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 Noel the angels 
[singing]
 did say 
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 was to search him poor shephers in 
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 fields as they lay in fields where they 
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 lay keeping their sheep 
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 on a cold winter. 's night that was 
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 so deep.

No well, 
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 no well, Noel, 
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 Noel. born is the king of Israelel. 
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 They do 
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 in s the star shining 
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 in the east beyond 
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 them far into the earth. He 
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 gave great light and so 
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 we continued both day and night. No well, 
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 Noel, Noel, 
[music and singing]
 Noel. Born is 
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 the king of Israelel, 
[singing]
 Noel, 
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 Noel, Noel, 
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 Noel.

For me is the king of 
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 Israel. 
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 The king is born. The king is born. The king is born. Oh, Emmanuel, our God is with us. Amen. Come on. Can we continue to 
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 worship the name of Jesus? Allow his joy to fill our hearts as we worship today. Amen.

Come on, let's worship him. Can we sing joy to the world? Joy 
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 to the world. The Lord is come. Let 
[music and singing]
 earth receive her king. Let me 
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 prepare room in heaven and nature see. And heaven 
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 and nature seek. And heaven and nature 
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 see who we 
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 will see. Easy. 
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 Yes, we will see.

See, come on. The world >> 
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 >> to the world. The savior Heat. Heat. Heat. 
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 Heat. Heat. Heat. >> 
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 >> joyful joyful weore 
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[singing]
 the God of glory. 
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[singing]
 Hearts 
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 are full like clouds before 
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 thee. Opening to the sun above. 
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 He's world and the name 
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 is rightuous. 
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 Heat. Heat. 
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 Heat. Heat.

Heat. 
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 Heat. Heat. 
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 Heat. Heat. 
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 Heat. Heat. 
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 >> 
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 >> Heat. 
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 Heat. 
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 for the 
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 opening to the son of course we praise him. Yes Jesus you are manual. Oh little 
[singing]
 town of Bethlehem, how still we 
[singing]
 see the light above the light. 
[singing]
 Deep and dreamless sleep. The silent 
[singing]
 stars go by.

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 Head in line, 
[singing]
 dark streets shineth the everlasting 
[singing]
 light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in me tonight. Oh holy 
[singing]
 child of Bethlehem, 
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 listen 
[singing]
 to us we 
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 pray. Cast 
[singing]
 out our fears and enter 
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 in. Be born 
[singing]
 in us today. We 
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 hear the Christmas angels, 
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[singing]
 the great glad tidings tell.

[singing]
 
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 Oh, come to us. Abide with us our Lord Emmanuel. Oh, come 
[singing]
 to us. abide with us. 
[singing]
 Our Lord Emmanuel. 
[singing]
 Oh Emmanuel, 
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 God with us. We 
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 worship you Jesus. Come on, we sing this together. In the holy 
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 town of David, a savior born 
[singing]
 today, the one 
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 who would be called Emmanuel.

Behold 
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 the host of heaven with holy roar proclaimed the one who would be called. The Messiah 
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 our God is with us now. And the angels cry. 
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 Holy all creation cries. Holy 
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 you are lifted high. 
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 Holy forever 
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 you see to the king of kings. 
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 You will 
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 always be holy, holy forever.

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 Come on. Your name is the highest. Jesus, your name 
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 is the highest. Your name is the greatest. 
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 your stand 
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 your 
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 name is the angels cry. Heat. Heat. 
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 Heat. Heat. 
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 Heat. Heat. Heat. 
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 Heat. Heat. 
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 Oh, 
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 heat, heat. 
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 Yeah. 
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 Heat. 
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 >> 
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 >> forever. You will always be. 
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 Yeah. Come on, let's give praise.

No one like you, Lord. There's 
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 nothing like you, Jesus. Amen. Amen. Amen. Well, welcome to our candlelight services. We're so glad that you're with us today. I just want to welcome all of our first time guests. We're so grateful that you're here 
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 and we've got an incredible uh rest of the service for you coming right up.

But before we get to that, why don't you just turn to somebody, tell them that you're glad to see them. Make them feel welcome here today and welcome to Gateway. You ever noticed how every year we think this is going to be the year that the holidays are going to be stressfree and peaceful?

Or is that just me? No, not just you. >> The street lights are all going to miraculously work. The kids won't fight. The family photo will actually be card worthy or at least Instagram worthy. And then reality sets in, right? Half the lights are burned out. Someone's crying.

Someone's eating something they shouldn't. And I'm asking chat GPT, "How do I get glitter out of the carpet?" And yet you so promise yourself you're finally going to properly label those Christmas bins for next year, which we really need to work on this year. >> Yeah, >> this year especially.

But then every November, we find ourselves back in the attic opening boxes that 
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 say random Christmas stuff. >> It's organized chaos, heavy on the chaos. >> Absolutely. And honestly, that's not just Christmas. That's life. Sure, we all want peace, but most of the time we're just trying to survive.

Work stress, family tensions, that constant feeling like you're 10 steps behind and never ever going to catch 
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 up. Some of us are better at hiding it than others. But we all feel it. And somehow it feels even heightened at Christmas 
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 time. >> So true. Maybe it's because every year as Christmas rolls around, we see the word peace everywhere.

Yeah. coffee mugs, ornaments, stockings, wrapping paper, peace on earth scented candles. >> Right. And don't forget the peace 
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 embroidered throw pillows that are only allowed for decoration and not to be touched >> and chopped. >> Chopped >> in the center. >> That's right. >> Sometimes it feels like peace made it into all the Christmas decorations, but somehow it skipped the people. >> It's so true.

And it's this time of year we seem to always be running late. Jonas 
[snorts]
 is mysteriously missing 
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 a sock or a shoe. And I'm getting pinged by Amazon notifications. Once again, letting me know that our last minute Christmas gifts for the kids are not going to make it in time. >> The reality is most of us probably feel anything but peaceful.

You scroll through your phone for 5 minutes and it's wall to-wall trouble, sad news, wars, prices are up, interest rates are rising, people wonder how they'll ever get ahead. And we're supposed to find peace in the midst of it all. >> You know, sometimes I just want to say, "Okay, Jesus, didn't you promise to give me your peace?

Did you forget to give it to me or maybe did I forget where I put it?" >> I can relate. But that's why the Christmas story always is so relevant to me because the first Christmas wasn't so peaceful. Every year we sing Silent Night. Yes. Right. >> One of my favorites. >> Mine, too.

But that first Christmas, it was anything but silent. Bethlehem was packed. People and animals were everywhere. There was no room and definitely no peace 
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 and no quiet. And spiritually, the world was in a rough place, too. There hadn't been a prophet or a word from God in more than 400 years.

Economically, people were struggling. And politically, the people were living under Roman oppression. So, if you've ever thought, "My life's kind of a mess." Well, congratulations. You'd have fit right in at that first Christmas. And right smack dab in the middle of all of that chaos and unrest, 
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 God shows up.

Yeah. >> An angel appears to a group of ordinary shepherds 
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 who are busy caring for their smelly and noisy sheep. And they hear the very first Christmas message 
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 ever spoken. Luke 2:10 says this, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people."

And then a whole host of angels appear and start singing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven 
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 and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests. Peace in a world that didn't have any peace at all." >> Yeah. That moment wasn't just a random event. You see, 700 years before that night, the prophet 
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 Isaiah had already foretold that this was going to happen.

The Bible says, "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." That last title, Prince 
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 of Peace, in the original Hebrew language that Isaiah was writing in says this, "Sar Shalom."

Sar means the captain, the ruler, the one in charge, and shalom means peace. But it means so much more than calm or quiet. It means wholeness. A state where nothing is missing, nothing broken, completeness, all things being made right. So what Isaiah was saying here is the one who's in charge of making all things right.

He's coming. >> And that is what 
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 Christmas is really all about. >> Yeah. >> God himself stepping into the noise 
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 and chaos of our world and saying, "I'm here. I've got this and I've 
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 got you. >> You know, the peace that Jesus brings isn't about getting your life perfect and all in order or making all the stressful things magically disappear. >> It's about finding 
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 calm in the middle of chaos.

Because peace, true peace, isn't about having a total absence of problems. It's about having the presence of Jesus with us in the midst of our problems. You know, one of my favorite 
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 names of Jesus is Emmanuel, 
[snorts]
 which you tend to hear a lot at Christmas 
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 time especially, but that name is simply a message letting us know that God is 
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 with us.

In the person of Jesus, God became one of us 
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 to show us that he is always with us. >> Yeah. And by bringing his peace into Bethlehem, which was crowded, chaotic, loud, and full of turmoil, he's showing us 
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 that he can also bring peace into your home, into your job, your relationships, your thoughts, your emotions, 
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 and into your heart >> and even your family group chat, >> especially your family group chat.

No matter what kind of December you're having, busy, lonely, stretched, uncertain, the Prince of Peace is still showing up. He doesn't wait for calm, he creates it. That not so silent night in Bethlehem, peace didn't arrive wearing a crown. It arrived wearing swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. >> The king of heaven became 
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 a baby and a feeding trough became his throne.

And because of that, we can finally know peace. So whatever chaos you 
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 carried in today, just know this. He can meet you right in the middle of it. Because peace doesn't start when the chaos stops. It starts when Jesus steps in. 
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 You could have 
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 stepped into 
[singing]
 creation with fire for all to see.

Brought every tribe and nation to their knees. Arriving with 
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 the host of heaven and royal robe 
[singing]
 and crown. The 
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 rulers of the earth all bowing down, but you 
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 chose meekness over majesty. Wrapped your power in 
[singing]
 
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 humanity. Glory be to you alone. 
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 King who raise from a manger throne.

My life, my praise, everything 
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[singing]
 I own to Jesus the king on a major 
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 throne. You could have marched in all 
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 your glory into the heart of Rome. Showed 
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 them splendor like they never known. But you wrote a better 
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 story in humble Bethlehem. Creator in the arms 
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 of common men.

You will die for our redemption in your eyes so we can live. 
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 Glory be to you. 
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 King who reigns for me. My 
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 life, my praise, everything I owe. To Jesus, 
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 the king on the manger throne. From heaven 
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 to the cradle, from cradle 
[singing]
 to the cross. Let heaven and nature sing.

This 
[music and singing]
 is our king. But the grave couldn't hold through. Our God 
[music and singing]
 is overcome. Let heaven and nature sing. 
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 This is our king. From heaven to the cradle, from cradle to the cross. 
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 Let heaven and nature see. This 
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 is our king. But the grave couldn't hold it. Our God is overcome.

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 This is 
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 our 
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 Glory 
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 to you. 
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 Heat. Heat. Heat. 
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 Jesus 
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 my life to 
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 Jesus to Jesus. 
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 The king 
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 on 
[singing]
 a major throne. 
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 We've all heard the classic Christmas 
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 song, it's the most wonderful time of the year. And sometimes it is. But other times, most times it 
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 just isn't. You know, maybe you got news you never wanted.

Or maybe a relationship 
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 ended. Maybe you lost someone that you loved. Or maybe you're just tired. 
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 Tired of pretending that you're fine when you're really not. Whether you follow Jesus 
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 for decades or you haven't made that decision or you're not sure what you believe quite 
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 yet, the reality is we each are going to walk through pain.

And if that's you today, this Christmas season, I want to say to 
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 you that I'm so sorry. And I truly pray that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, meet you in ways that no words ever could. One of 
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 my favorite scenes in the Bible happens in the evening on Easter Sunday.

Jesus has died and then miraculously 
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 he comes back to life. But his closest friends, his disciples, are locked in a room, hiding 
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 and terrified. They've just seen their beloved teacher and friend hung and nailed to a cross a couple days ago. They're grieving, confused, 
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 and trying to figure out what to do next.

And then out of the blue, Jesus 
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 shows up. He literally walks through the wall of the room they're hiding in. And the very first words out of his mouth are this: peace be 
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 with you. He doesn't say, "Why are you guys hiding?" or what happened to your 
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 faith.

He simply meets them in their pain and brings peace with him because that is who he is. 
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 The prince of peace. The one who doesn't run from pain. The one who steps into it with you. 
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 Maybe you shut some doors in your own heart this year. Maybe you've smiled through the holidays while hiding that you still feel so heavy inside.

Or maybe you've said, "I should be over this by now." But your heart whispers, 
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 "I'm just not." I'd like to give you some good news today. You don't have to get over your pain for 
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 Jesus to get near to it. Your grief, your questions, your doubts, those don't intimidate or 
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 turn him off.

Not even for a moment. He wants to step right into the locked rooms of your 
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 heart and say, "I am here." God's peace doesn't make sense on paper. The Bible 
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 calls it a peace which transcends all understanding. It doesn't promise your circumstances are going to change 
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 overnight, but it does promise that Jesus is going to be holding you in his 
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 hand even while things are still crazy.

You know, Isaiah 61 says this that Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted and give us 
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 a crown of beauty instead of ashes. In other words, he doesn't just hand you a band-aid to 
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 cover your pain on the surface. He starts healing what hurts deep underneath. You know what I love about the 
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 story I mentioned earlier?

It's that the Bible tells us that after Jesus shows up in that room and says, "Peace be with you." He then shows 
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 the disciples his hands and his side. It may seem like an odd thing to do, 
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 but here's why he did it. It's because he wanted them to see his scars.

He's letting them know, you're not the only one who's 
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 been wounded. I know what pain feels like. I've experienced it myself. And you know what? It doesn't get 
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 the last word. The Prince of Peace doesn't enter our pain to erase it, but he enters in to transform it.

He takes the places that feel forever 
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 shattered and brings peace and healing right into the heart of them. Here's what's so beautiful to me about 
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 Jesus showing the disciples his scars. He was showing them that although the nails and the cross 
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 had left lasting marks on him, the wounds he had endured, the pain he had experienced 
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 were no longer raw bleeding and exposed.

Those wounds had healed and 
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 become scars that served as an eternal reminder of God's redemptive and 
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 healing work. And the same is true for you. And the same is true for me. When we open up and allow Jesus to 
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 step into our pain, he begins to heal what's broken.

The hurt doesn't disappear overnight. The memory still lingers. 
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 But what was once an open wound, eventually it becomes a scar, a reminder that God meets us in 
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 our pain and brings us through it. Every scar you bear tells a story. stories of survival, but also 
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 stories of God's faithfulness.

Stories that whisper, "Yes, I have been hurt, but 
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 I have also been healed." The pain may not ever be erased, but in Jesus's hands, even your scars can shine with hope. Today, if you feel like 
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 you've been hiding behind a locked door, fear, loss, disappointment, shame, he can walk through that door, 
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 too.

The truth is, he's probably already knocking. All too often, 
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 pain tries to isolate us. But if we allow him to, Jesus wants to come close to us. And when he does, 
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 it's his presence that doesn't just comfort us, but it changes us. Because true peace isn't found when pain ends, but peace is found 
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 when Jesus enters it.

And maybe that's the gift you need most this Christmas. Not something 
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 wrapped under a tree, but the peace of knowing that you're not alone in 
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 what hurts. The good news is he is still stepping into dark rooms 
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 and whispering, "Peace be with you. 
[applause and music]
 You are the man. medicine, the 
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 only cure 
[singing]
 for everything I feel within.

Redeeming 
[music and singing]
 what was lost and all that could have been. Oh, this is a healing kind of 
[singing and music]
 love. Thank you, Lord. everlasting father, 
[singing]
 prince of peace, Emmanuel God with us. You're here with me. Wonderful 
[singing]
 counselor, the government is resting on your shoulders. 
[singing]
 We thank you Jesus 
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 that you are the final word.

You alone 
[singing]
 decide when every 
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 page will turn. So I will trust your timing. I will rest 
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 secure. Oh this is a steady kind of love. 
[singing]
 Yes it is. Oh, we see 
((music playing))
 everlasting father, 
[singing]
 prince of peace, 
((music playing))
 Emmanuel God with us. You're here 
((music playing))
 with me. Wonderful 
((music playing))
 counselor, the government 
[singing]
 is resting on your shoulders.

((music playing))
 Oh yes, it is everlasting. Oh 
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 everlasting father, prince of peace, manuel 
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 God with us. You're here with me. A wonderful 
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 counelor, 
[singing]
 the government is resting on your shoulders. 
((music playing))
 Lift high 
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 the 
[singing]
 name of Jesus Christ. 
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 Let us exalt the treasure 
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 of heaven. Lift high the name of Jesus Christ.

The praises 
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 rise for Christ our Emmanuel will tie 
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 the name of Jesus Christ. 
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 Let us exalt the treasure of heaven. 
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 Lift high the name of Jesus Christ. 
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 The praises rise for Christ our Emmanuel. Hallelujah. 
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 Hallelu to the saving 
[music and singing]
 son of heaven. To the prince of peace eternal. His name is Jesus.

Hallelu 
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 to the roaring lion of Judah to the 
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 king of kings 
[singing]
 forever. His name is Jesus. 
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 Hallelu to the saving son of heaven. 
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 To the prince of peace eternal his name is Jesus. >> 
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 >> to 
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 the king. His name is Jesus. 
((music playing))
 Heat. Heat. 
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 Jesus Christ. 
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 My story. 
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 So, we've talked about how Jesus brings peace in our chaos and how he brings peace into our pain.

And maybe you're sitting here today thinking, "How do I get that? Where do I even begin?" And here's the most important thing that we could tell you today 
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 is that lasting peace doesn't begin with circumstances. It begins with a right relationship with God. Peace with God. 
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 And that peace with God is the foundation for every other kind of peace in your life. >> You know, Isaiah 9:6 
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 calls Jesus the prince of peace.

Not only because he is 
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 able to calm the world around us, but also because he came to calm the war within us. Yeah, we may not always think about it like that, but all of us have experienced 
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 that tension, that war within, that feeling deep down that something is missing or I'm not where I should be.

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 The Bible says that's because apart from Jesus, we're separated from God. And man, we try to fix it through 
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 success, distractions, good deeds, maybe even religion, 
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 but it never really works. There's this disconnect between us and God who made us. 
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 And no amount of effort or good intentions on our part is ever going to bridge the gap. >> But that's why Jesus came.

Romans 5:1 
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 says this. Since we have been made right with God by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Prince of Peace didn't come only to bring peace into our chaos or even peace into our pain, but he came to once 
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 and for all end the separation between God and between us. >> Exactly.

The story doesn't stop in Bethlehem. Jesus's cradle and his cross, they're connected. His birth led to the cross. 
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 And at the cross, Jesus took on himself everything that separated us from God. 
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 our sin, our shame, our past. He paid for it all completely. Isaiah said this, 
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 "He took up our pain and he bore our suffering.

Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But what was really happening is he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was put on him. And it's by his wounds that we are healed." Another place in the scriptures 
((music playing))
 it says this that God made him who knew no sin.

Talking about Jesus to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. That is why while he was on the cross Jesus was able to say these words, it is finished. >> You see, the peace Jesus offers isn't something you earn. It's something you receive.

And that's what makes Christianity so radically different from everything else. It's not about what we do to get to God, but it's about what God did to get to us. You don't have to clean yourself up first or have all the answers. He already knows you and he loves you anyway.

That's >> right. >> You just have to receive the gift of himself that he wants to give to you today. >> Let's be honest, that's really good news. The best >> because most of us couldn't fix ourselves if we tried. I mean, we can barely keep Christmas lights untangled.

That's right. >> Let alone our soul. Jesus offers us something no one else can. A fresh start, forgiveness, 
((music playing))
 and a peace that doesn't depend on circumstance. He's saying, "I paid the price so you don't have to live disconnected from the one who made you." 
((music playing))
 Because Jesus took on humanity and became a baby because he lived.

He breathed our air. He walked our earth and he died on a cross. And because he rose from the dead, you never have to wonder where you stand with God. You can know today and forever going forward that you are forgiven. You are loved and you are his. >> When you receive Jesus, you're not just inviting him into your 
((music playing))
 life.

You're accepting his invitation into his peace. There's a verse in the Bible that says this about Jesus. 
((music playing))
 The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Just like the light of a candle, the peace of Jesus pushes back any darkness within our hearts. Because that's just 
((music playing))
 what he does.

He brings light into our shadows, hope into our heartbreak, and peace into the chaos 
((music playing))
 that we cannot fix on our own. And when you receive the gift of his light, when you let him in his peace in, it doesn't just stay a tiny flicker. It grows and it 
((music playing))
 settles and it really begins to change you.

Soon you're not just someone carrying his light. You become someone who shares 
((music playing))
 it with others in your home, in your workplace, in your neighborhood, with your 
((music playing))
 friendships, and with your family. You know, the light of Jesus that fills you slowly begins to spill out of you in the words you speak, in the way you love, and in how you walk through life with a quiet confidence that you're not alone anymore. >> I love that picture of light.

You know, light doesn't have to be loud to transform a room. It just has to be there. And that's what makes Jesus so different. He doesn't force his way in. He arrives quietly and gently. And yet, his presence changes everything. The same Jesus that Isaiah called the prince of peace, the 
((music playing))
 captain, the ruler, the one in charge of making all things right is the one who steps into our story.

He is the one who is strong enough to rule the universe and yet gentle enough to sit with us in our weakness and pain. He's the only one who can bring us the kind of peace 
((music playing))
 that surpasses our understanding. And when he does, he brings peace into our chaos, 
((music playing))
 peace into our pain, and he gives us the gift of peace with God himself.

He doesn't wait until we're calm or healed or certain or strong. He doesn't wait until we have it all together. He doesn't wait for the darkness to disappear before he steps in. He steps in right where we are in the chaos, in the questions, in 
((music playing))
 the disappointment, in the places that we're still trying to make sense of.

And when he does, his peace isn't fragile or temporary. It's not distant or unreachable, nor 
((music playing))
 is it based on circumstances or your own perfection. >> That's right. >> It isn't the kind 
((music playing))
 of peace that disappears when life gets tough. It's a peace that reaches deep. It's deeper than fear.

It's deeper than regret. It's deeper than anything that tries to steal hope. And that's why 
((music playing))
 Christmas matters. Because Jesus didn't just bring peace into the world. He brings peace to people. Real people, ordinary, imperfect people just like me and just like you. So wherever you find yourself today, whether this season 
((music playing))
 feels bright and joyful or maybe it feels heavy and complicated, the Prince of Peace sees you.

And he knows how to meet you right where you are. It's here right now and it's for you. The heart of Christmas isn't just a baby in a manger. It's about a king, the Prince of Peace, who steps into our world so we can know him, walk with him, and 
((music playing))
 live in peace with him.

((applause))
 Oh come all ye 
((music playing))
 faithful, joyful and triumphant. 
[singing]
 Oh come ye, oh come 
[singing]
 ye to Beth. Come and behold him 
[music and singing]
 born the king of angels. Oh come let us adore 
((music playing))
 him. Oh come let us adore 
[music and singing]
 him. Oh come let us 
[singing]
 adore him. Christ 
((music playing))
 the Lord. Christ the Lord. Yeah.

((music playing))
 Lord, we grieve thee for 
((music playing))
 this happy morning. Oh Jesus 
((music playing))
 to leave me. Oh Lord 
((music playing))
 again. Word of the father now 
((music playing))
 in flesh appearing. We sing together. Oh Christ 
((music playing))
 adore. Oh Christ 
((music playing))
 adore him. Oh Christ adore 
((music playing))
 him Christ. 
((music playing))
 Come on. Can we sing to our feet? Worship our savior Jesus Christ.

Come on we sing. Oh, 
((music playing))
 come 
((music playing))
 
((music playing))
 here. 
((music playing))
 His 
((music playing))
 name shall be wonderful. 
((music playing))
 
((music playing))
 Heat. Heat. Heat. 
((music playing))
 
((music playing))
 Heat. 
((music playing))
 Heat. 
((music playing))
 
((music playing))
 Heat. Heat. 
((music playing))
 
((music playing))
 Yeah. Heat. 
((music playing))
 >> 
((music playing))
 >> Heat. Heat. 
((music playing))
 Yeah. Heat. 
((music playing))
 
((music playing))
 >> 
((music playing))
 
((music playing))
 >> Oh, come on, church. You can do better than that. He's worthy of our greatest ovation of worship. You can have a seat for just a few moments.

And we spent our time together today talking about that Jesus is the prince of peace. He's the captain. He's in charge of it. And that peace is more than simply life getting easier. That Jesus steps into our life. And although chaos may be around us, it doesn't have to be inside of us.

And you get that when you have encountered the prince of peace. And although Jesus may offer the gift of peace, it doesn't mean that we've received the gift. There's a difference between knowing it's available and making it yours. I was thinking about um all the gifts that'll be given over the next several days.

And some of you, you'll you'll open presents on Christmas Eve, which is against the law. I don't know if you knew that. I mean, when I was in school, all the all my friends be like, "We open on Christmas Eve." I was like, "Good for you. We get PJs on Christmas Eve.

It's not that exciting." But how odd would it be if you were to hand out gifts to everyone in your family and you all were to hold them, you were to look at them, you were to admire the wrapping paper and the beautiful bow. You were to even say thank you for the gift, but you never opened the gift.

It'd be kind of an awkward moment, right? And as the giftgiver, if you were on that end, you would be anticipating them opening the gift because you know the thought you put into it and you know how much you spent. And a box like this, it can be cheap or it can be very expensive.

You know the value of the gift. And you'd probably be disappointed that they didn't actually open the gift because how many of you know it doesn't matter how much I look at this. I never experience what's inside until I unwrap it and make it mine. And I wonder if for some of you that doesn't describe where you are with God.

That you've heard about the gift of Jesus. You maybe even have been around church things like this before. And you you maybe even know the story. You could talk about the shepherd going to m or the the angel going to Mary and then the angel had to go to Joseph because he was about to mess the whole thing up.

Got to read the Bible. It's in there. You know about the manger and the wise men. And you could kind of tell about it, but you've never made the gift of Jesus yours personally. You've never received the gift. Because the reality is it's not enough to know about Jesus.

You have to know Jesus. It's not enough to have an intellectual ascent to some understandings about who Jesus is and historical facts. You have to invite him into your life. You have to do what the book of Romans tells us in chapter 10:9. It says that if you openly declare Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The word Lord isn't a word we use a lot in our vernacular, but it simply means I'm saying God, you're going to be in control of my life. Let me let me say it this way. It's a transfer of trust, everybody. Because the reality is this is that we all are trusting in something right now.

And you may even be here and maybe you're in the room or you're in one of the overflows today and you're thinking, "I'm not a person of faith. I'm just trying to please my mom or my grandma and I came to Christmas candle light to make them happy."

But the reality is we're all people of faith. It's just what are you trusting in? And some of you, you're trusting that maybe your good works and that your kindness will one day be enough and you and God will be okay in the end and you'll go to heaven.

And some of you are trusting that your good will outweigh your bad. That maybe there's a scale. And if you could just put enough on the good side, outweigh the bad side, then everything will be okay. Some of you are trusting in your net worth and some of you are trusting in your net worth.

Whatever it may be, we're all trusting something. My question to you today is, why would you put your trust in things that are fleeting? and that are so unstable. Why wouldn't you place your trust firmly in Jesus? Why wouldn't today you say, "I'm drawn a line in the sand.

Jesus, I'm making you the Lord. I'm done running my life." How many of 
((music playing))
 you know that doesn't work out very well in the end? I'm done calling the shots. I'm done doing it my way. I'm surrendering. I'm going to confess you as Lord. That's how you receive the gift of peace.

And the Bible says that when you do that, here's the promise. 2 Corinthians 5:17. It means if anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. Listen to this promise. The old life is gone. the mistakes, the sin, the issues, the pain, the shame. He said, "It's all gone and a new life has begun."

Can I tell you the greatest gift you 
((music playing))
 get this Christmas is some of you need a fresh start with God. You need a new beginning and he says it's available to you. It's the greatest gift exchange. You ever been to a gift exchange where you ended up on the bad side of it?

Like you brought a thoughtful gift, you brought a nice gift and you left with a plunger. How about this gift exchange? You give Jesus your brokenness, he gives you his righteousness. You give him your sin, he gives you his healing. You give him your mess and he gives you purpose and destiny.

Come on. It's the greatest gift exchange ever happened in humanity. 
[music and applause]
 Some give you the opportunity to respond to the message of Christmas. In a moment, we're going to pray together and it's not in the words, it's in the faith. It's in the posture of your heart. If you say, "Pastor, that's me today.

I need a fresh start." All right. Maybe you're here and there was a time where you were walking with the Lord and you just 
((music playing))
 life happened and maybe hurt happened and maybe disappointment happened and you walked away and today is the day where you go, "No, I'm surrendering my life to you.

Will you pray with me?" Every head bowed, every eye closed all over the room, even in our overflows. No one looking around. We wouldn't embarrass you for the world. This is a sacred and a holy moment between you and God. But before we pray, I just want to know who I'm praying with.

And when I count to three in a moment, I'm just going to ask you to shoot your hand up high and bold. Yes. On this candle light service, I just kind of believe when you do. That's your sign going, "Jesus, that's me. I need that. This is my step of faith.

I'm not going to ask you to get out of your seat, walk down an aisle, but I believe this is your step of faith." Say, "God, 
((music playing))
 this is me." And God will see that and respond to that. And today will be a day of brand new beginnings for you.

So when I count to three, if God is speaking to you, you shoot your hand up and then we're going to pray together on three. One, two, three. You just shoot it up high. Keep it up. God bless you. Wow. All over the room. Keep it up. Keep it up.

Keep it up. Dozens and dozens and dozens 
((music playing))
 and dozens of hands. There's got to be more than a hundred hands up in the room. Praise God. It's beautiful. Heaven sees you and all of heaven is rejoicing, by the way. Hey, will you pray with me out church? Out loud, church, for the benefit of those who just slip their hand up.

We don't want anyone praying alone. Just say, "Jesus, 
((music playing))
 I need you. I ask you to forgive me of all my sin. I believe you died for me. I believe God raised you from the dead. Today, I make you my Lord and Savior. Thank you for a brand new beginning in Jesus' 
((music playing))
 name."

Everyone said, "Amen." Come on. Can we put our hands together and celebrate those? Oh, come on. All of heaven is rejoicing. How beautiful. 
((music playing))
 And if you just slipped up your hand, listen to me for one moment. We don't want you to walk this journey of faith alone. You're not meant to do life alone.

And we want to help a really large room become really small. and we want to help walk with you in this journey of faith. And so 
((music playing))
 there's really two simple ways you can let us know. We would just love to know that you made that decision. We're not going to show up at your house.

No one's going to stalk you. Um we're not going to spam you with text and email. We just want to come alongside you, give you some resources to help you in the journey of faith. Two simple ways. One is just to get your phone out right now and just text 
((music playing))
 the name Jesus to 710 and he'll text you.

I'm kidding you. our team will text you back. I'm just joking. Jesus to 710 and we would love to connect with you or any any of our team, anybody in a badge connect central out in the lobby. We would love just go up and say, "Hey, I prayed that prayer.

Hey, made that decision today." It won't be awkward. We will celebrate you. You just made the greatest decision you could ever make in your life. Amen. Come on, one more time. Put your hands together for all those who made that decision. >> 
((music playing))
 >> Well, I've learned this is our, you know, first Christmas here.

So, if you're a first- time guest, so are we at Christmas. And uh but I've heard we have a wonderful tradition 
((music playing))
 of lighting candles and then Rebecca sings the roof off the place. And that's just what we do. And so, can I remind you that as you light the candles first, may it remind you of the light of Jesus that's come into your own life.

And what a gift that is. And as 
((music playing))
 this room fills with light, can it remind you that that's what we're supposed to be when we leave this place. That our light would so shine before 
((music playing))
 men and women that they see our good works and they'd glorify our father which is in heaven.

Oh, 
[singing]
 holy Tonight 
((music playing))
 the stars are brightly shining. It is the 
[singing and music]
 night of our dear Savior's 
[singing]
 birth. 
((music playing))
 Long lay 
[singing]
 the world in 
((music playing))
 sin and air up high till 
((music playing))
 he appeared. And the soul 
[singing]
 felt its worth. A thrill 
[singing]
 of hope. The weary world rejoicees 
[music and singing]
 for yonder breaks. A new and glorious morning for 
[singing]
 your knees.

Oh, hear the angel 
[singing]
 voicees. Oh, 
[singing]
 divide. Oh, 
[singing]
 when Christ was 
[music and singing]
 born. night divine. All night 
[singing]
 divine. 
[singing]
 Truly 
[singing]
 he taught us to love one another. His law is 
[singing]
 love and his gospel 
((music playing))
 is peace. Chains 
((music playing))
 shall he break 
[singing]
 for the slave. His brother 
[singing]
 in his name. All the preious shall cease.

[singing]
 
[snorts]
 Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus 
[singing]
 raise we let all within 
[music and singing]
 us praise his holy name. Christ 
((music playing))
 is the Lord. Praise 
((music playing))
 his name forever. His power and 
((music playing))
 glory forever more proclaim the 
((music playing))
 night. 
[singing]
 on your face. 
((music playing))
 How he the angel 
((music playing))
 divine 
((music playing))
 where Christ was born. 
((music playing))
 >> 
((music playing))
 >> Oh night.

[singing]
 All night defy. 
((cheering))
 >> Wow. It's been like that every service, too, y'all. Really amazing. >> Well, we're so glad that we had this time together as a church family. You know, we're in many locations and gateway gatherings and online around the world and of course our prison campuses, but at the end of the day, we're just one big church family.

And 
((music playing))
 uh and so we thought what a great way to end our time together than with our family and our whole church family singing together Silent Night. So will you join us as we sing? 
((music playing))
 Sing us with us. Silent night, holy 
[music and singing]
 night, all is calm, 
[music and singing]
 all is bright, 
[music and singing]
 round virgin, mother 
[singing and music]
 and child.

Holy earth and so 
((music playing))
 tender and 
[singing]
 mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. 
((music playing))
 Silent 
[singing]
 night, holy 
((music playing))
 night, son of God, 
((music playing))
 love pure light, radant from thy holy face with thy 
[singing]
 dawn Redeeming grace, 
[singing]
 Jesus, Lord, and thy will. Jesus, 
[singing and music]
 Lord, at thy birth. Well, merry Christmas everybody. Hope you had a wonderful experience and we pray that you have a great holiday season, >> a very very merry holiday season from our family to yours.

We just want to say merry Christmas and we pray that the Lord blesses you in the year to come and that you come back and see us. >> There's no better way to begin your year. >> That's right. >> Than in the house of God. >> And uh there's so many wonderful things happening.

I'm telling you, this is a fantastic season to be a part of Gateway Church. God is doing remarkable things and we would love for you to be a part of it. So, blow out your candle first so we don't catch anything on fire. And then we hope you have a very merry Christmas, a great holiday season.

We'll see you in the new year. >> Merry Christmas.