Merry Christmas!
We frequently receive Christmas cards wishing a Merry Christmas. We also receive greetings of, joy and even peace on earth. As we look around we might think, peace on earth? What a joke!
That greeting is biblical. In Luke 2:14, a great multitude from heaven praised God upon the birth of Jesus, saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (NIV)
So what’s the deal? Did God get it wrong? Is he not able to deliver peace? Not at all. “World peace” was not what was being offered. Jesus himself said that conflict, poverty, war and rumors of wars will last as long as this world does. God’s promise of peace comes to the heart of all who trust in Jesus, the Savior. They have peace in knowing that this world is but a brief stop-over on our road to eternity in heaven.
We are now reconciled with God.
It is good for Christian men and women to work to make this world a better place, however it is corrupted by sin, our sin and that of others. The sin that separates us from God was dealt with when Jesus, God’s Son, came from heaven and became a man. A man who lived without sin, even though he suffered the same hate, rejection and cruelty that everyone faces at times in their lives. He then, though totally innocent, allowed himself to be beaten, spit upon and executed in our place, as he suffered the punishment for our sins.
We are now reconciled with God. He has adopted us into his family and though we continue to struggle with sin, he forgives our sin because punishment has already been doled out, to Jesus. We now have the peace of mind to know that God knows us, loves us and has a place in heaven for us to spend eternity.
Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you for coming to us and saving us. Help us to live a meaningful life serving you and those that we can in our world.
I wish you true peace this Christmas Day!
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