Have you ever watched an international beauty pageant? During the show, the host asks each contestant what they would hope for. Almost every time, contestants give the answer: “World peace.” It happens so often that this response has become a cliché.

But, is world peace really such an unattainable idea? I’d like to say, “With Christ, it’s not!”

On Christmas day 1914, at the height of the First World War, British and German soldiers laid down their weapons and met in the middle of “no-man’s-land.” They exchanged gifts, sang carols and even played an impromptu soccer match. For a moment in time, this celebration of Christ’s incarnation brought enemies together.

But that shouldn’t be surprising.

Isaiah wrote about this effect more than 700 years before the first Christmas in his most famous passage: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV).

Christ took on the form of man to bring humanity peace. The Prophet continues, telling us: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).

Can you even imagine what “peace with no end” would look like?