The Missing Peace: How Christmas Brings the Calm We Crave

by Sam Chan

An evangelistic book addressing the question of why, if Christmas brings “peace on earth,” our lives and world are so full of difficulty.“Peace on earth” is a crucial part of the Christmas message and a reality we’d all love to experience. But when we look around or listen to the news, it seems like an empty promise. Our world is not at peace, and often our lives and relationships are not peaceful either.

In this short, warm and down-to-earth book, author and evangelist Sam Chan considers the question of peace. Through relatable storytelling and engaging insights into the Christian faith and Christmas story, Chan shows us how peace is possible despite the harsh realities of life in this world.

Give copies away at Christmas services and church events or to family and friends who aren’t following Jesus. Christians will also enjoy this simple reminder that Jesus brings the peace we’re all looking for.

Genres: Christian

64 pages

Published September 1, 2025

About the author

Sam Chan (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; MD, University of Sydney) is a public evangelist with City Bible Forum in Sydney, Australia where he regularly shares the gospel with high school students, city workers, doctors, and lawyers. He speaks at conferences around the world on the topics of ethics, story-telling, apologetics, and the practice of evangelism in a post-Christian culture. Sam blogs at espressotheology.com.

Reviews

[Daniel Im · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s my favourite quote from the book,

“If there’s no God, then when it really matters, there’s no rule book and no umpire to make the call on who’s right and who’s wrong.

If there’s no God and we’re merely a sophisticated species of animal, then we have to do things the same way animals do. We have to fight.

If there’s no God, then the biggest, loudest, stubbornest player wins. We see this on the world stage. We see it in the school playground. We see it in our offices and our homes. And so any peace we enjoy is always brittle and often broken.

Is there any way we can say that there is such a thing as right and wrong, rather than just “the strongest wins”?

It’s in light of this that the Christmas story is good news, because what Christmas says is There is a God. There is a reference point. And therefore, there can be peace.” – Sam Chan

If you’re missing peace in your life (or know someone who is), I want to invite you to read through this short 63 page book by my friend, Sam Chan.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kootingal Moonbi Anglican Church for this book at your Christmas service.

“When you know that Jesus has taken your sin, so that you now enjoy God‘s favour, then you can navigate the wars, pain and poverty or whatever else this broken world throws at you and you can do it with a sense of peace because you’re at peace of God.

Christmas is a joyful yearly promise that because Jesus was born to save us from our sins and to give us peace so we don’t need to worry about the “spiders” in our lives.”

[Paul Hallam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read and understand explanation of why we need the peace of Christmas and how we might receive it.

[Madelyn Brunvand · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy read that’d be great for non-believers and also really encouraged me heading into a Christmas season that can feel heavy at times

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and engaging presentation of the good news of Christmas - how Jesus brings us real peace, the peace that comes from knowing that we are seen by God, loved by God, and safe with God. Helpful illustrations and good explanations of multiple Bible passages

[Natalie Millican · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially liked how he explained the language of “the Lord make His face shine upon you… the Lord turn his face towards you” in Numbers 6 from the perspective of a shame- honour culture. “If parents turn their faces towards you, then you’re honoured. You’re loved. You’re safe… God promises that he will “turn his face” towards us. He will “make his face shine” upon us. We’re going to be okay if we know that no matter what happens, we’re seen by God, loved by God, and safe with God. This is where our peace comes from.”

[Elisa Dourado de Castro · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars.

This book was a good summary about how Christmas can bring us peace, and how it is about Jesus coming into the world to save us. I enjoyed how he wrapped up in the end, explaining how God brings us peace.

However, some times I didn’t like how he put certain things and I felt there was a lack of urgency in his book. Urgency in the sense that Jesus is the ONLY way and who mighty God is.

Apart from that, I thought it was good! And he made me look at Christmas differently. It’s not only about Jesus coming into the world, but Jesus coming into the world to save ME!

[Gary Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent little evangelistic book for the Christmas period. It highlights how the gospel fulfils what our world is desperately searching for - peace. It’s accessible, well illustrated and perceptive in its cultural analysis. Great for giving away. High recommend.

[Ashley Gavin Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small pamphlet that takes about 30 minutes to read would be a wonderful book to give to someone who doesn't understand the significance of Christmas. I may buy a few copies to give away!

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sharp, and clear.

[Phil Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book that shows how Jesus' coming opens up the way to know true peace of heart. Readable, clear and well illustrated with an Australian humour.

[Nerys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book on how Christmas

[Gareth Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little reminder of the peace that Christmas brings.