Christmas - A Season For Rejoicing, Peace and Good Will

Luke 2:14- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

       The first announcement of our Savior’s birth came to the shepherds of the Bethlehem countryside. It was an angel who appeared to them. What a privilege this messenger had to tell about the advent of the Messiah! The singing army of angels proclaimed and praised the glory of the Lord.

       The glory of the Lord brightened the earth at the birth of Christ, our Lord. The glory of the Lord, which is set above the heavens, Psalm 8:1, came to earth in Jesus Christ. John, the apostle, wrote these words about Jesus’ glory-And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth, John 1:14. The glory of God was somewhat veiled by the humanity of our Lord. But the day is coming at our Lord’s Second Coming that all flesh will see the glory of God, Isaiah 40:5. In these passages, glory refers to the visible splendor and brightness of His majesty.

       Man, who was created in the image of God and clothed in light, lost the glory of God in the fall into sin, Romans 3:23. Sin robbed man of the glory of God. But the angelic host could rejoice because man now had a Kinsman-Redeemer in the birth of the Christ Child. That’s why the angels, at the dawn of that first Christmas day, could sing- Glory to God in the highest, Luke 2:14. Here glory means ‘rejoice’ and highest means ‘Heaven’. So the Angels were saying, “Rejoice in the God of Heaven!” The shepherds could rejoice in the God of Heaven because the Savior of the world had come to save sinners, John 1:29.

       The next portion of the angelic hymn was the words- and on earth, peace, Luke 2:14. That’s what we need this Christmas. When the angels sang that first Christmas, the famous ‘Roman Peace’ (Pax Romana) had been in effect since 27 B.C. But there can be no real peace until the hearts of men are at peace with God. Jesus came to provide that peace; for He is our peace, Ephesians 2:12-17. Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross, Colossians 1:20. Peace, then, is not something, but Someone. Peace is a person. That is why the Bible affirms- We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1. For the sinner, it is ‘peace with God,’ for the saint, ‘peace in God.’

       The Lord took the initiative to bring peace into our world. No sinner can make (as a good work) his peace with God. Such peace was made when Christ died and rose again. The New Testament designs the Lord as the God of Peace-

¥ He is the God of peace because He brought Jesus back from the dead. Hebrews 13:20-21- Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¥ He is the God of peace because He makes believers holy through the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. I Thessalonians 5:23- And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¥ He is the God of peace because He is with believers. Romans 15:33- Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Cf., Philippians 4:9.

       The God of peace is the God of peace because He brings heartpeace (inner peace) to the believer. So, in a spiritual sense, there is peace on earth, this Christmas. But it is in the heart of the believer. Only the God of peace can bring the peace of God- And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:7.

       The Christmas carol of the angels will find its ultimate fulfillment when Jesus returns and establishes the Kingdom of God on the earth. At that time, Satan’s kingdom will be crushed and the nations will be forced to transform their spears into pruning hooks.

¥ He is the God of peace because Satan’s evil kingdom will be crushed. Romans 16:20- And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

       The Good News of the Angelic choir is that when man sees the glory of God in Jesus Christ, and receives the peace of God, that he will come to have good will toward others. That is what Christmas is all about.  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift, II Corinthians 9:15.

      

CHALLENGE:

       On this Christmas Eve, the Bible challenges us with these beautiful words- Acquaint thyself with Him, and be at peace, Job 22:21a. What a gracious promise this is! Because peace was secured at Calvary, all that one with a troubled conscience can do is to acquaint himself with the Lord who is our peace. When you are at peace with God, Scripture promises good shall come unto thee, Job 22:21b. This will help you bring good will to others.