Christmas Songs (7)

When Peace Invaded Earth

Surely you are familiar with the Christmas song Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The first few verses go like this:

Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"

Charles Wesley, the songwriter, got them from the shepherds. The shepherds, before shooing off to Bethlehem to see Mary’s newborn Child, had an angelic host suddenly appear before them singing: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men (Luke 2:14, NKJV). You see, the shepherds forgot to register their copyright (I’m sure the angels wouldn’t mind them doing so). Else their descendents could have been receiving royalty since 1739 (the year Wesley wrote the song). But credit to Wesley too, in this his every-Christmas-must-sing song, he magnified a very important truth the angels sang about what Jesus came to bring us: peace with God. Of course, we understand that it would take a bit of time, for it’s when Jesus finished His work on the cross that sinners are reconciled to God. But it’s as good as done when Jesus came on the scene.

Peace with God is of paramount importance. In our last Much More Group meeting, when asked to give thanks to God for the year, a brother said that one thing he wanted to thank God for is the assurance of salvation which so captured him. He lamented that many Christians, even pastors, are not sure of their salvation. How could they have true peace? For our brother, he essentially said that this peace with God has helped him meet every challenge in life with confidence. I think it is the foundation that makes him, and us, more than a conqueror. It is our internal reality that determines our external reality. Peace with God brings about peace in God. And this peace becomes our strength as we meet with our challenges in life head on and helps us overcome. It echoes the words of Jesus: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33, NKJV)

When you read the nativity account, you can plainly see that the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus was anything but peaceful, for the Baby and the people around Him. There must have been a mad scramble for space. If there was no decent place to place the newborn baby (He was put in an animal feeding trough!) there probably was no decent place for Mary’s labor. We are not told whether a midwife was in service, or the first time mother had to manage all by herself. Joseph must have felt very bad for his young wife. Probably he was blaming himself for bringing her to Bethlehem. And we know that later after some wise men from the east showed up the whole family had to flee to Egypt because a mad king was trying to kill baby Jesus. A mass massacre did happen and all boys below two years of age in Bethlehem and surrounding area were slaughtered under the command of the mad king.

It was in such hostile environment that the Prince of Peace was borne. So you can trust Him when He said that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Jesus understands how we feel about the stress the conflict the lack the dishonor and all the less than favorable circumstances in life, for He had been through them and overcome.  And He will help us overcome.  One time Jesus was on a boat with His disciples crossing a lake. A furious storm came up and threatened to capsize the boat. Waves swept over the boat but Jesus was sleeping soundly, totally unperturbed by the life-threatening situation. Then He heard someone hollering at Him, one of them big-mouthed-easily-excited Peter probably. (The scene was rather familiar. Oh it was like the first day when He was borne. He was sleeping soundly in something reminiscent of a boat, and some big-mouthed-easily-excited animal was hollering away!) He woke up and commanded the storm to cease. The peace in Him invaded the hostile environment surrounding Him and subdued it. This, my friend, is what the peace that you have in God will do for you too; I don’t care what kind of hostile environment you happen to find yourself in. Concerning this peace we also have this promise from Isaiah:

 For unto us a Child is born,
 Unto us a Son is given;

 And the government will be upon His shoulder.
 And His name will be called
 Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of His government and peace
 There will be no end… (Isaiah 9:6-7, NKJV)

Yes, of the increase of His Kingdom and His peace in your life there will be no end!

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