Peace on Earth
I heard a song that recalled a person’s perception of his childhood. He was sad that the world today was in such a bad state of affairs. The idyllic peace of his childhood as he sat in a Christmas Eve service was a thing of the past.
He certainly had the attitude of Longfellow’s first few stanzas of the poem he wrote after his son was wounded in the Civil War.
Their old familiar carols play,
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
“There is no peace on Earth, ” I said.
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men.
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on Earth, good will to men.
The Truth of the angel’s announcement was this.
The angels appeared to the shepherds when Israel was under the rule of Rome with Herod as Rome’s toady. Heavy taxes, restraints on freedoms, and abusive and ungodly laws were as oppressive as they are today. Yet God chose this time in history to make His presence known in a spectacular way.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.”
The angels announced this good news to the lowliest and most disrespected of Jewish society. The shepherds rejoiced and went about telling the good news of a special baby born in Bethlehem – the long awaited Messiah. After they had seen and worshipped the Christ Child, they went back to their menial jobs but continued to worship and glorify God for the wonderful experience. Peace had come to them because they believed and obeyed.
I have some bad news for some of you. Until Jesus comes back to rule and reign in the millennial kingdom, true peace on earth will not happen.
There is only one place we can have true peace. Only as we allow God’s love to penetrate our hearts and minds and ask the presence of Christ to reign in our lives will we have peace.
My question for me is this – have I been sharing the Good News of Christ and His gift of peace?
Not enough, I’m sure.
Blessings
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