Luke 2:13-14 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, goodwill toward men!”
Pastor Herk continues: “On earth peace” does not mean universal peace throughout the world unconditionally. Many have taken this declaration of the angels and tried to turn it into a promise of a world that is free from conflict. The day will come when “every knee shall bow”, but that happen at Jesus’ Second coming. There wasn’t peace in the entire world then or since. There is only peace with those in whom God is pleased. Peace with God by all of mankind would produce peace between all men and women on earth. Faith in Jesus Christ alone is the means for peace on earth between God and humanity.
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” The Greek word for faith is “pistis”, meaning conviction of the truth or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it. Relating to God: the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the Provider and Bestower of eternal salvation through Christ. Relating to Christ: a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God. Faith in Christ, faith in God, and faith in His Word [the Holy Scripture of the Bible]. The birth of Jesus is good news for all people, but only for those who by faith accept Him as their Savior and Lord sent by God out of love and grace. Ephesians 2:8 “ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Got faith?
Luke 2:15-20 “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” The shepherd found the Lord as the angels told them.
When they had seen the Savior, who is Christ the Lord, they could not keep the good tiding of great joy for all people to themselves; they made what the angels told them widely known about the Christ child. These ordinary people in society had an extraordinary message to proclaim the Savior of the world. God still uses ordinary people to do the same proclamation of love, grace and mercy unto salvation by faith in Jesus today. It started on Christmas day. God incarnate is born into the world as a baby, lives a sinless life, then dies on a Cross and rises from the grave that you and I may be saved. redeemed, forgiven, reconciled and given eternal life. If we have the great joy that the shepherds experienced of this Good News, then that spreading the Gospel should be our natural joyful response. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen. Are we truly celebrating the birth of Christ and all that means at Christmas today? What is our attitude? Are we truly glorifying and praising God for the amazing gift of the Savior of the world – God among us? Is it truly a holy night in God’s plan of Salvation for us? Romans 16:24 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Have great Joy!
In Christ, Brian
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