Christmas is a time for singing carols and giving gifts. Silent Night is one of the most beloved of all the Christmas carols. The last line of the first stanza is: Sleep in heavenly peace. Heavenly peace is a gift from God that Jesus gives.
John 14:27 (NKJV)
“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.”
Notice the peace Jesus gives is different from the peace the world gives. The peace the world gives is largely based on favorable circumstances while the peace that Jesus gives is based solely on the One who gave it. The peace that Jesus gives is heavenly peace.
Certainly Jesus gives us peace with God through reconciliation and the opportunity for peace with one another, but the peace that allows you to sleep soundly is a peace that is experienced personally. The exciting thing about John 14:27 is that Jesus said He was giving us His very peace – the peace of Jesus Himself. If you’re having trouble sleeping, may I suggest you try the peace of Jesus. As you lie awake at night, start saying to yourself, “I have the peace of Jesus.” After you say it each time, see yourself experiencing heavenly peace and actually feel it calming your mind and body.
The Hebrew word most often used for peace is shalom. Shalom is an inclusive word, which includes health, prosperity and well-being. Meditate on how your life would look and feel filled with health, prosperity and well-being. The word shalom intimates completeness, and because you are complete in Christ, you can experience the peace of God and sleep more soundly.
The New Testament introduces an aspect of peace rarely found in the Old Testament: peace of mind. This peace of mind comes from knowing that God cares about you. There’s no need to feel abandoned because through the finished work of Christ you are well and whole. Jesus calms the inner turmoil of anxiety and fear; hence the phrase, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Did you know that it’s possible to live free from fear and anxiety? It’s called experiencing heavenly peace. Heavenly peace creates an atmosphere free of fear and anxiety.