Peace on earth!
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.” (EHV)
How many cards have you received that echo the words spoken by the Christmas angel, “Peace on Earth”? There is nothing more desirable for people than to have peace in the world. Many songs have been written with this focus. Imagine a world at peace and what we can do together? Every year we hear these words and think of the endless possibilities that could be if only there was peace on earth.
But soon after Christmas, the fantasy of peace is smacked out of us with reality. There are still wars being fought all over earth. We still see hatred and fighting everytime we watch the news. There are wars among political parties and there never seems to be an end in sight. It makes one pause and think, “Was God lying when we spoke through his messenger?”
If we think in earthly terms, that is the logical conclusion. But God was not referring to peace and good will between humans. If we want to know what peace and goodwill the angel was talking about, we must be confronted with a different war. St. Paul wrote in the letter to the Romans, “While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” Every sinner is at war with God. This is a war humans cannot win and our defeat is absolute. Every enemy of God deserves to be bound and sent to eternal prison for war crimes against God’s holiness. Are you beginning to see the true nature of the peace and goodwill we need? It is not a peace or goodwill that humans can bring to the table with God. God had to bring to us his peace and goodwill!
This is the message of Christmas. God sent his Son to make peace with sinners like you and me! That baby in the manger is God’s embodiment of goodwill toward his enemies! This is why we have peace and will continue to have peace with God. This is why we will not be thrown into the fiery dungeon of hell. This is why we rejoice and celebrate peace and goodwill. Our God made all this possible by sending his Son to save us and reconcile us to himself. This is the true meaning of the angel’s message. And this is the message that goes out into the world today. It will not stop the fighting between nations and peoples, but it will turn people back to the Lord. We know this, because it has happened to us. We are now at peace with God because of his goodwill toward us. A Savior has been born, Christ the LORD!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son into this world to bring us peace though the forgiveness of our sins. Help us remember the true peace we have in him and the future glory in your presence. Give us opportunities to make this peace known to other sinners so that they too can celebrate your goodwill. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.