Whenever I think about the angelic announcement, “Peace on earth…,” I also think about how much unrest and conflict there has been in the past 2,000 years. Local wars, world wars, civil, religious and land wars to name a few. World attention is focused on the war in Ukraine and Gaza but did you know that there are over 30 additional smaller wars going on in the world right now? If wars were the only unrest, millions would be at peace but there is unrest even when there is no official war. There are families at war and neighbors at war. There are many, many people having a war within themselves. How are we to interpret the announcement of the angels? Remember that it wasn’t merely wishful thinking. Peace is truly available! Peace works from up to down and from in to out. What I mean is this. Peace comes from the God of peace. There can be no peace apart from Him. And, peace works from within to without. In other words, if you find an individual at peace with God who is enjoying the peace of God, you will find someone that is learning to live at peace with others. We can have peace with God, be at peace within and live in peace with those around us. Jesus made this promise, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Later in the New Testament, James wrote, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?” Wars are started by people who want something they can’t get another way. It’s not because God is holding out! Peace is available but it requires surrender to the Prince of Peace. May you know His peace this season.