INTRODUCTION
The most misunderstood Christmas song must be the song of the angels to the Shepherds, on the night Jesus was born, “And on earth peace among men’. One Christmas, a grandfather drove around a town to show his little granddaughter Christmas decorations. They came to one display which was eye-catching. In letters brightly lighted, were the words, “Peace on Earth.” The little girl looked at those words, and said, “Papa, what does that mean?” Papa said, “That means that Jesus came down to this world to bring peace.” She was quiet for a long moment, and then looked up and said, “Papa, it didn’t work, did it?”
Now perhaps there are many of us adults who have felt the same way, whether we have voiced it or not.
- We read and hear of terrorist attacks,
- Suicide bombers, leaving innocent people maimed or killed.
- Nations are developing nuclear weapons.
- There are cruel dictators in numerous countries.
- All over the globe there is tension and hostility between nations, ethnic groups, and people of conflicting ideologies, that we too wonder.
“It didn’t work, did it?”
BACKGROUND
- Luke 2 records for us the birth and boyhood of Jesus, including a description of the world into which Jesus was born.
- Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.
- Now that night, in the same part of the country, there were some Shepherds watching over their flocks, when they received an angelic announcement.
- Angels from the realms of glory
- Hark the herald Angel’s sing
- The first Noel
- Dox: What child is this
GATHERING IN CHURCH AT CHRISTMAS
And suddenly there came with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (or, a heavenly army),
Interrupting the quiet, dark night when Jesus was born, was the shining presence of an angel, and the glory of the Lord. This angel brought good tidings, which literally means that the angel preached the gospel to these shepherds, who were regarded as social outcasts.
Luke states that soon after the single angel’s announcement, there was a change of condition in the sky, when in a flash, (or at once), there descended with the angel, a vast number of angels. So, this whole group of angels joined in, singing and praising God.
Now like the multitude of angels in the sky, large crowds gather in Churches on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, to praise God. Gathering in church reminds us that
- this day is not primarily about family, nor about gifts, but that Christmas is about Jesus.
- that as it is Jesus’ birthday, and therefore meeting together with our spiritual family is priority, before meeting with our biological family.
- that Christmas is not a consumeristic ritual, but praising God for Jesus.
GLORIFYING GOD AT CHRISTMAS
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest (or, glory to God in the heavens where God dwells),
Now this phrase, ‘Glory to God in the highest’, is one of four hymns found in Luke chapters 1 & 2. This short hymn is called, in Latin ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’.
Now like the Shepherds, as God’s creatures, when we witness an appearance of God’s glory, for instance in nature, such as the night sky, or the ocean, or the mountains; it is not just meant for us to enjoy the show, or the exhibition, but to give God the glory, our adoration, our love, our gratitude and our praise.
Now in their song, the angel announced the birth of a Savior, which was, (and is) exactly the need of us human beings. We sinful human beings didn’t need another advisor, a reformer, or a committee, but a Savior. So now that the Messiah was born, this angelic choir
- spoke in praise of God, for sending the Saviour, and for giving us salvation.
- They sang God’s praises, as God would save sinners, by Jesus substituting for us, and taking our punishment of the death penalty on the cross
Note that the object of the angel’s praise was God alone. The angels were not glorifying God and his merits but in God and His grace. Likewise,
- no talented praise and worship leader, nor
- gifted organist, nor,
- great speaker should be given prominence!
Someone wrote;
“If people are mesmerized by the leader, focusing on God is minimized”
- All the talents that your praise and worship team, your organist, and your Pastor, and other preachers possess are all gifts of God.
- All their brilliant playing of instruments and powerful preaching are played and preached by the grace of God.
- Therefore, we owe to give all the glory to God, for all-worship leaders, all organists, and all preachers are all instruments in His hands.
Ellen White, a Seven Day Adventist wrote,
‘Teachers . . . receive their words from God. . . . The power is not of man, but of God. The Giver should have the glory and the heart’s affections, while the minister should be esteemed, loved, and respected … because he is God’s servant to bear the message of mercy to sinners’
Therefore, with the voices of a million angels, we should ensure that we say;
‘To God be the glory, for the things He has done, …’.
A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AT CHRISTMAS
And on earth peace among people (or, peace to men, or peace for men) with whom He is well pleased.”
Now this massive company of the angelic army, proclaimed peace. What the world needed then, and what the world needs now, is peace. Even those who did not know God in the 1st century world, sensed this need for peace. Epictetus, a 1st century writer wrote;
“While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy; he cannot give peace of heart, for which man yearns for more than even outward peace.”
Even though the Roman world was experiencing external calmness and peacefulness in society, people did not have inner peace. Even today, many people strive to experience inner peace. They search for
- Psychological peace – for comfort within.
- Relational peace – harmony with others. And
- Spiritual peace – between God and them.
Now the Bible records how sin damaged or wiped out all three types of peace. Peace was lost when human beings turned against God. However, through the cross, God providing a way to pardon and peace with God.
And so, the peace that the angels proclaimed that first Christmas, is a
- much deeper and more lasting peace, between a holy God and sinful human beings.
- This peace is gained by being reconciled to God.
- The Bible declares that no more do we need to be enemies of God, but can be friends with God; as at the cross, the enemy was destroyed, and hostility between God and man ended.
And so the Prince of Peace, Jesus, offers us
- peace of mind and
- peace in soul,
- and a new relationship with God.
Joyce Myers once wrote;
“We can have a lot of things in life, but if we don’t have peace, we’re never going to truly enjoy our lives the way God intended”
Joyce Myers also wrote;
“Peace with God is the foundation for peace in every other area of our lives. Jesus is the “Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6) and it’s only through a relationship with Him that we will ever experience true contentment”.
And so, let us invite the Prince of Peace into our lives;
- By admitted that we are sinners
- By repenting and asking God’s forgiveness for our sin
- By believing that Jesus died on the cross for you
- And by inviting Jesus to come into your life.