And on earth, peace

Wouldn’t everyone like a little peace?

War between Ukraine and Russia. War between Israel and Gaza/Hamas. Great division between the political left and right in America. Who wouldn’t want a little peace and reconciliation? How many times have you heard a beauty pageant contestant, or a world leader, extol the virtues of reconciliation and wax eloquent about world peace?

Such peace, however, is only ever fleeting. Factionalism, tribalism, simple human nature always insinuates itself, and a breach in the peace ensues. There is, however, a peace that is lasting, a peace that comes from true reconciliation; one not wrought by men.

If you don’t recognize the partial quote in the title, it comes from a longer passage in announcing “to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay” the coming of the Lord:

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Luke 2:8-14 (emphasis mine)

That first noël mentioned it only briefly, it was a portent of a peace that does not pass. People often ask, “why do I need a savior?” or “from what do I need to be saved?” It is because, by nature, we are at enmity with God. Yet God saw fit to reconcile us to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son:

He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him [Jesus Christ] to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:15-20

Jesus came to reconcile us to God, and by so doing, to set us at peace with God. This is a peace no man can undo because it was not wrought by man. Jesus Himself said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

If you know Him, you can have this peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

This is what we celebrate at Christmas. This is the peace announced on that long ago silent night in that first noël. Receiving this peace does not require change on your part. On the contrary, receiving it will change you, and you will know peace.

How do you receive this peace? Paul laid it most clearly and simply in Romans chapter 10 when he wrote that “if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

May you and your family know the peace that comes through Jesus Christ, the reason for our Christmas celebrations, and may He bring you comfort now and always.