Luke 2:14: The PEACE of Christmas

Luke 2:13-14.. "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 among those with whom he is pleased!'"

What is the peace that Christ brings to us in the Christmas season? So often we think that peace is simply having comfortable circumstances. But is this really what a multitude of heavenly host was speaking about when they proclaimed "on earth peace among those with whom [God] is pleased"? What if the peace of Christmas was much more than a nice Christmas tree and great-tasting eggnog [a personal favorite of mine]? What if the peace of Christmas was actually making things right between God and man?

Amidst Zechariah's prophesy about the Lord's birth in Luke 1, we find these wondrous words:

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. . .to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:68-69, 79, emphasis added)

Contrary to common opinion, the true "peace on earth" that we speak of in the Christmas season is what Zechariah is prophesying of here. Peace is not comforting external circumstances like having family gathered around a Christmas tree, giving presents, or sitting around a warm fire. Although all of those things are wonderful and ought to be enjoyed, the peace of Christmas is much, much more than that. The peace offered in Christmas is, as Zechariah prophesied, "to give light to those who sit in darkness." That is, the peace of Christmas is to rescue the souls of men from the depths of hell. The peace offered by Christmas is that there is an option of reconciliation between sinful man and holy God because of the coming of Christ, and his ultimate death and resurrection. To truly understand the peace of Christmas is to truly understand that Christ has come to make sinners right with God. The peace of Christmas is much, much more than we often think.

So, when your friends are all enjoying the Christmas season and exclaiming of the great "peace on earth" this holiday brings, I encourage you to challenge them. Ask them what the peace of Christmas really means to them. Ask them what they think the Christmas season is all about. If they answer with Santa Claus, Christmas cookies, and presents, take the opportunity to share the true peace of Christmas, that is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth." - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Verse 3