‘Peace on Earth’
‘What time is it?’ ‘Probably past midnight,’ replied the older shepherd. They were tending the sheep at night out in the fields. ‘I’m a little tired,’ admitted the younger one. ‘No problem, son, just rest a little. It’s a quiet night and a clear sky.’ ‘I love watching the stars. The stars always remind me how powerful and beautiful God is.’ ‘Yes, creation reveals His power and beauty.’
Suddenly a great light shone on them. It wasn’t a bright star; it was an angel! The glory of God shone around him. It was an awesome experience for the shepherds, but they were afraid. ‘Do not be afraid,’ said the angel calmly. ‘I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.’
‘What could this be,’ thought the shepherd. ‘Why tell us? We are people of no importance.’ The angel went on and proclaimed, ‘for today in the city of David [Bethlehem] there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ [Messiah] the Lord.’ This news was overwhelming for the shepherds. ‘This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ The shepherds were still perplexed. And suddenly, a whole host of angels became visible to them, praising God together: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’
‘Peace on earth?’ Thought the older shepherd. ‘How can this be? Our land is occupied and we are ruled by foreign overlords. Life is tough and most of us are poor.’ Many thoughts turned in his head, but in his heart he believed. The angel had disappeared and the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’ They hurried, filled with expectation and excitement! What would they find? Was it really true?
‘It’s true!’ The shepherds cried out. ‘There is the baby in the manger, just as the angel had told them.’ ‘Welcome, dear friends,’ said Joseph with a kind voice. ‘What brings you here?’ ‘Sir, believe it or not, but an angel of God appeared to us on the field, telling us that this Child is Saviour, Messiah and Lord! It seemed unreal, but it is true!’
God is faithful
Jesus’ birth is the fulfilment of prophecy. The prophets foretold it and the angel reaffirmed it. God’s word is reliable and trustworthy. God is faithful—He can be trusted. There is great hope in the reassurance of faithfulness. God is faithful—no matter what. In the midst of struggle and temptation, God is faithful to strengthen us through it and show us a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). God is faithful to protect us from evil and strengthen us in the midst of the battles of life (2 Thessalonians 3:3). And even if we are faithless at times, God remains faithful, because He cannot deny who He is (2 Timothy 2:13). God is faithful. Even if we sin—although we shouldn’t—our Advocate-Saviour is faithful and righteous to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we humbly confess and believe in His saving power (1 John 1:9—2:2). His faithfulness makes Him, figuratively speaking, a ‘Rock’—we can rely on Him (Deuteronomy 32:3).
Peace on Earth
God can be trusted. He gives us peace despite the struggles we face on earth. His peace is divine, heavenly, not of this world—and removes anxiety. The Prince of peace is Immanuel—‘God with us.’ He has not abaonded the world. Christmas is about God’s love for humanity in a world of hatred, His offer of peace in a place of warfare and His invitation of acceptance in places of rejection. God has not abandoned us. His love gives us acceptance and acceptance gives us peace. Peace removes anxiety.
Abandonment is a very painful experience, be it a parent leaving his or her children, or a spouse rejecting her or his partner. The feeling of being unwanted is tough to deal with. It leads to despair, yet God reassures us that He is with us. The psalmist wrote how God would take him up even though mother or father might forsake him (Psalm 27:10). God is God to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). It is very seldom that a mother would forget or abandon her nursing child, but despite such sad cases, God will never abandon us (Isaiah 49:15). Although we might feel despair and hopeless at times (v 14), God has inscribed us on the palm of His hand (v 16) and will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b; cf., Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5). Jesus had promised that He would be with His people ‘even to the end of the ages’ (Matthew 28:20b). Apostle Paul had many friends, but there were tough times when no one stood with him—except the Lord! He is faithful (2 Timothy 4:16–18). Hard times do, indeed, reveal true friends and expose the false ones. A true friend ‘loves at all times’ and is faithful (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24). God is ever faithful.
Christmas is about God’s love and acceptance—to give us peace. God removes anxiety and reassures us of His faithfulness. God is with us. He is faithful and gives us peace.
Believe in the Messiah, Prince of peace, Saviour of the world.
Comments