PEACE ON EARTH

Peace, we all want it. Peace on earth has been sought after for centuries. Many actually believe it can be achieved. People strive for it. They spend a lifetime seeking it. Legislators make so-called laws trying to ensure it; even attempting to mandate the world's way into it. It's all an illusion—on so many levels.

Manufactured peace; does anyone actually believe that such a thing can exist. The trouble for most is simply a lack of understanding of what peace truly is. Peace is not something that can be manufactured, Peace came to earth on Christmas day.

I think most of us, whether we call ourselves Christian or not, have heard of peace on earth as it relates to the Christmas season. We hear it in stories and songs; especially those of us who live in the United States. At the very least we've heard Linus recite it from Scripture in Charlie Brown's Christmas Special. However, this Christmas, WOW, God has opened my eyes to a whole new level of understanding of what He meant, and did not mean, by peace on earth.

But first let's read the most quoted translation together—

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:10-14 NKJV

Take a look again at the last part of the last verse. I remember, even as a child, wondering what these words could possibly mean as I saw no peace on earth. Many years later as I started following Jesus and reading my Bible, I think I must have thought of them as eventually coming to fruition when Jesus comes back to reign. In any case, it seems as though many see them as as a general proclamation of the angels or maybe they dismiss them altogether. Either way, peace on earth, or world peace, continues to be sought after at all costs.

Now please know that I am not criticizing, in any way, the King James, however, I am reminded of the importance of staying in God's word because He reveals Himself over and over again. I am also reminded that the Bible is written to the believer so the men toward which peace is given is the follower of Christ.

This is how verse 14 reads in other translations:

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among men (or those) with whom he is pleased! ”

That changes everything doesn't it! It's not that King James doesn't say the same, it's that the old English can sometimes be difficult to comprehend.

Yes, Jesus came for all people (see Luke 2:10, John 3:16), offering peace to whomever believes, however, He did not come to bring world peace or peace on earth as in peace around us or outside of us. Jesus was peace incarnate. He came to bring peace to the hearts of those who belong to Him. A peace that the world can not offer, though it desperately tries to find. He offers peace on the inside; peace with God and the peace of God; peace among those with whom He is pleased. Without Jesus peace is impossible.

It's difficult for me not to mention the travesty of the worship of redefining everything that God has created; especially since it's all being done (at least on the surface) in the name of supposed peace. It's just a lie of the devil using people to do his bidding. I don't see peace in any of it, I see chaos, and God, well, He's not the one who brings chaos and confusion (see 1 Corinthians 14:33).

I believe if we take a look at the text earlier in Luke 2, we just may find some insight into why people are in a state of confusion rather than peace. Right from the very beginning there was no room for Jesus (vs7b). This is a picture of the heart, it's often too crowded. We are too busy. We have other things to take care of, other priorities. We seek the approval of the culture around us. Why? Because we want to fit in. It's difficult to be the outcast. But that is exactly what Jesus was to the world, an outcast.

The funny thing is, it's not because Jesus was different than God intended the world (people) to be, thereby making Him an outcast. No, it's because man turned against what God intended the world to be, therefore Jesus, and consequently His followers, appear to be the outcasts. And so, God sent Peace to His people to live in a world full of chaos; a world where He called us to be a light on a hilltop.

As the world wrestles with the notion that if they tread upon heights they can achieve godhood, they continue to wander seeking peace only to find chaos.

When Jesus' life began, there was no room for Him (Luke 2:7) and at the end,

He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. (Isaiah 53:3-4(a) NLT)

Why? Why would anyone turn their back on such a gift ? Why is it that so many still do? I guess we didn't think we needed Him. Look at where that got us. And personally just like any gift that's offered to you, in order for it to be yours, you must receive it.

The greatest Gift ever offered was and still is the Good news of Great Joy; that the Savior was born on Christmas day; and He is the Messiah, the Lord.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play; And wild and sweet the tones repeat, “There’s peace on earth, good will to men.”

I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th’ unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor does He sleep, For Christ is here; His Spirit near Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”

When men repent and turn from sin The Prince of Peace then enters in, And grace imparts within their hearts His peace on earth, good will to men.

O souls amid earth’s busy strife, The Word of God is light and life; Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice, Hail peace on earth, good will to men.

Then happy, singing on your way, Your world will change from night to day; Your heart will feel the message real, Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Longfellow got it. He knew the Scriptures, yet when he looked around, he saw no peace on earth. Instead what he found was death and destruction, chaos and confusion. Oh but what he learned (and I pray many do) is that it's internal peace, not external, that God offers.

Christmas is not a commercial holiday as it's portrayed to be. It's a Christian Holy-day; the day Peace came to earth.

Happy Birthday Jesus! And Merry Christmas to you. I hope that your celebration is Christ centered, as He is the only One who offers true peace on earth and good will to men.