Peace on Earth
by Elizabeth Cole
And
suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among
men with whom He is pleased.”
Luke
2:13-14 (NASB)
Finding peace on earth during Christmas could be quite
challenging this year. Mamas and their littles displaced from their Syrian
homes; governments in crisis; Indonesian earthquakes and Pakistani plane
crashes; another terrorist arrested in Rotterdam.
While Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow wrote “Christmas Bells” over 150 years ago during the Civil War, its
last stanza is as bold and true as ever:
“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 doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”
The earthy manger held God Himself - - bearing witness to the
fact that He is an attentive Promise keeper who would go to extreme lengths to
bring reconciliation and peace to His created.
The earthy cross held God Himself - - bearing witness to the
fact that He would Himself defeat Wrong and death…for us, in our place.
The earthy tomb couldn’t
hold God Himself - - bearing witness to the fact that He is alive
and returning someday, not as a baby, but as a Victor. Right will prevail, He
will make this world new and all will be as it should…in peace.
Beloved, we know the end of the story. And as we wait in the
“now and not yet,” let us bear witness to what we know to be true. Christ, who
is our peace, is here now…and someday, He will bring complete peace on earth.
Hold on.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
If you are sensing despair this Christmas, how does the fact of
Christ’s victory on the cross and in the future impact you?
2.
What are some practical ways you can bear witness this
Christmastime to the peace knowing Jesus gives…despite circumstances?
FURTHER READING:
Elizabeth is a
wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of
Connecting at Oakwood Church.
