That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, “Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”
Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said:
“Praise God in heaven!
Peace on earth to everyone
who pleases God.”
Luke 2:8-14
What is this “peace” that the angels were talking about on the night that Jesus was born? Was the peace of the first Christmas the end of war between nations? Did the coming of Jesus 2000 years ago bring global peace? Quite obviously it did not!
Was this “peace” a personal peace that would surround those who follow Jesus so that no trouble and turmoil would disturb them? The answer is also no to that.
The angels were talking about peace between man and God Himself! Man had been at war with God since the Garden of Eden. With the coming of Jesus the war could end without the eternal damnation of all men!
My four year old grandson said “The devil is scary!” His grandmother gently reminded him that the devil is scary only if you do not have Jesus with you. If you are at war with God, Satan will destroy you. If you are at peace with God, all the wrath of the devil himself can do you no eternal harm.
“Lord Jesus, may the peace of that first Christmas fill my heart and give me the calm assurance that all is well no matter how violent the storms that rage around me. Thank You Lord. Amen!”
No comments:
Post a Comment