According to the former President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and History and some historians from England, Egypt, Germany and India, our world doesn’t know much about political tranquility.  Their studies concluded that since 3600 B.C., the world has known only 292 years of peace. During that same span of time, there have been 14, 351 wars in which 3.64 billion people have been killed. And all along the way, over 8000 peace treaties have been made and broken. (Bits and Pieces)

But with a clear focus on the REAL Christmas Story, we can have real peace this holiday season. This week, take a moment and read some amazing truths found in the book of Matthew. Along the way, notice that in the original language (Greek) the word BEHOLD starts showing up (even though some of our translations omit it).

For example, in Matthew 1:20 we are told to BEHOLD an angel who appeared to Joseph. In Matthew 2:1, we are urged to BEHOLD the magi who came from the East. In Matthew 2:9, we need to BEHOLD the star that went before the Magi. And finally, in Matthew 2:11, the Magi BEHELD the child in His house.

So, I got to thinking about that Greek term “To BEHOLD.” It means to see or more accurately to inspect. There is a physical act that we do with our eyes, but we also need to make sense of what we see with our mind. And from God’s perspective, we need to have an inward spiritual perspective.

One of the best examples shows up in I John 3:1 where John instructs us to “BEHOLD what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons (and daughters) of God.” (KJV)

If we want some personal peace, we need to BEHOLD the kind of love God has lavished on us. Inspect those details of that love. Be reminded that He will never leave us or forsake us. Notice carefully that His love is personal, directed to His kids. It is unwarranted and unmerited. It is a gift.

So, during this holiday season, when Satan attempts to steal all our joy, let’s be intentional about our focus. Instead of being flustered, let’s just slow down a bit and consider how “…wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:18-19).

Let’s BEHOLD the love of the Father.