Christmas is only and infinitely about the finished work of Calvary. Jesus, upon the cross, called out “it's done! it's finished!” So Christmas is only the arrival, and then the work begins, and if and when we celebrate anything short of that finished reality in our lives called salvation, Christmas will never be complete. We will be unfulfilled and disillusioned, and that's where so many of us are we’re at the beginning, we’re at the arrival. We celebrate profusely at the arrival but we forget that's not what it's about. No matter how much we celebrate and even say it's about Jesus we're only celebrating his coming. 

As we light the fourth candle in the Advent wreath, the candle of peace,  I wonder if we are really experiencing any significant amounts of peace in our lives at this busy, hectic and sometimes frustrating time of year.  Just because we celebrate the season that depicts the advent themes, love, joy and peace, it doesn't necessarily mean we truly are achieving all its benefits.  We sometimes fool ourselves into thinking that if we try really hard to do everything perfectly, keep every tradition, give, get and do the right things, those desired qualities will be ours in copious amounts.  But peace, especially, will only be achieved and retained if and when we follow the mandate set out by scripture about peace.  2 Thessalonians 3:16 states, "Now may the God of all peace, Himself, continually grant you peace in every circumstance."  So right away we discover that it is God alone who grants us this desired, somewhat elusive quality called peace.  Therefore in life in general and even more specifically, Christmas, we obviously can have peace.  But there are certain criteria we must follow to achieve this Christmas bliss... and first Corinthians 10:31 says this, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  Then First Peter 4:11 continues by saying  "in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen"  So the real question in regards to Christmas must be, then, are we glorifying God as we prepare and as we celebrate?

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.