“Glory to God in
the highest,
and on earth
peace to men on
whom his favor
rests.” Luke 2:14
It is Christmas and Luke and the other
Gospels bring us the wonder of the night that the precious gift was given to us
in Christ Jesus. The angel had just appeared to the shepherds watching their
flocks by night and they were terrified as they were told the Good News of
great joy that will be for all the people. Jesus came to bring peace, but also
a sword He tells us in Matthew 10:34. What is that about? He knew that many or even most would not
receive the gift and many who did would not open and embrace it with
thanksgiving in their hearts. In fact from the beginning of creation man has
been against man and war not peace has been the common element on earth. Why?
For since Genesis pride, arrogance, selfishness, greed and fear have continued
to reign at the behest of Satan who has masqueraded as the “angel of
light.” Yes, even though those walking
in darkness have seen a great light shining in the darkness as Isaiah the
Prophet tells us, yet, the darkness has remained. But thanks be to God, His
kingdom will not be overcome by Hades or Satan (Matt 15:34). However, unless we are filled with the Holy
Spirit of God we will not be able to overcome the world as Jesus did. We are told to be in the world but not of the
world; to be filled with the Spirit of trust, goodness and righteousness.
Once we are
His we are to live in the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit. We need to be continually filled and
controlled by the Spirit. We are to walk in the light and not darkness, being clothed
with Christ and the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22). Then
and only then can we do what Paul asks of us in Romans 12:18, “If it is
possible, as far as it depends upon you, be at peace with everyone.” This Christmas as the Christ child comes
again let us remember that His peace is not as the world gives. He came to
redeem the world from darkness, war and unforgiveness, to reconciliation and
forgiveness of our sins.
As much as it
depends upon you, if it is possible, be at peace, forgive and live in His
love. This is the message of Christmas,
love one another as He has loved you.
And these
three remain, faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. So receive His gift, open it and embrace it
this Christmas so that you might live in the light as He is in the light and be
at peace with one another.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.