Through January 6, I’ll be posting devotionals with an Advent and Epiphany theme to focus our minds on the nativity of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

People today feel that Christmas is all about giving and receiving gifts of the material kind, not of the spiritual variety. We received a gift from God over two thousand years ago in the form of the birth of a savior, which isn’t the focus of the very secular holiday celebrated now.

Today’s Bible verse commemorates the gift that Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper and also recalls a theme that has been repeated in my Advent devotionals

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

At the point that Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, they were all quite confused about what was going to happen to their teacher — even though He was telling them quite plainly that He would suffer and die, then be resurrected on the third day. They just couldn’t believe that was going to happen to this beloved mentor who had performed so many miracles!

Jesus knew that the disciples were going to be “troubled and afraid” in the following days, so as He wrapped up the Last Supper to head to Gesthemane He left them with a most precious gift — peace of mind and heart.

He isn’t just offering a parting shalom (meaning “peace be with you”), but offering His peace: “He carefully described the peace as ‘My peace.’ His peace was a heart untroubled and unfearful in spite of all the suffering and conflict ahead of Him.”

If only it was possible to wrap this gift up and give it to others! In a way, we can, by giving others the Good News of Jesus this Christmas. Share Heaven On Wheels with other believers — and non-believers — by clicking the share button at the bottom of this email.

Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:

Loving God, thank You for the gift of Your son, our savior. Christ is the perfect peace in my heart, with His Spirit living within me forever. May I share His wonderful peace with all I encounter today. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.