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“The Twelve Blessings of Christmas: Peace
Isaiah 2:1-5

 

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Pastor Kevin Vogts
Trinity Lutheran Church
Paola, Kansas

Second Sunday after Christmas—January 4, 2015

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

The night of Jesus’ birth, the angels sang to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”  This morning we conclude our sermon series on “The Twelve Blessings of Christmas” by meditating on the peace which Christmas brings.

A popular Christmas song tells us, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year, it’s the happiest season of all.”  And, yet, far from being a season of peace and goodwill, Christmas can often be a time of stress, and strife within families, a time of anguish and sadness within ourselves. 

And, historians tell us that in the 2,000 years since the angels proclaimed, “And on earth peace, goodwill toward men,” there has never been one moment without warfare somewhere in the world.  Our newspapers and television screens this year have juxtaposed cheery accounts of Christmas celebrations with somber stories of death and destruction.

Were the angels wrong when they proclaimed, “And on earth peace, goodwill toward men?”  Is the reality of our world 2,000 years later not measuring up to the promise of peace on earth proclaimed that first Christmas Eve?

At the United Nations building in New York City there is a large sculpture inscribed with these words from today’s Old Testament Reading: “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”  The sculpture interprets these words as being fulfilled by the formation of the United Nations.

But, the United Nations did not bring an end to warfare, and words from this verse do not in any way predict an era of earthly peace between the nations.  For, Jesus told us to expect the exact opposite, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” 

The peace which Christmas brings is not an earthly peace, but a heavenly peace.  The angels’ proclamation, “And on earth peace, goodwill toward men,” does not describe how things are on earth, but how things are in heaven—and should be on earth.  That is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Our world was meant by God to be a perfect, peaceful paradise.  But, the paradise of Eden was shattered by the sinfulness of man.  As St. James says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”

It is because of our sin that we have not peace, but strife, in our world as a whole, and in our individual lives.  In Ephesians, St. Paul describes sin as, “the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”  Sin divides us from God, and from one another. 

But, St. Paul continues with the Good News, “He himself is our peace, who has . . . destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”  Christ came into the world to destroy the barrier of sin.  As the angel said to Joseph, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 

St. Paul puts it this way in Romans: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  The proclamation of the angels, “And on earth peace, goodwill toward men,” is an announcement from heaven of the Good News of God’s attitude toward us on account of Christ.  On account of his Son’s birth into our world, on account of the sacrifice of his life and death to pay for all our sins, God is not angry with our world, God is not angry with you. 

As the Christmas carols say, “Joy, to the world, the Savior reigns . . .  Nails, spear, shall pierce him through, the cross be borne, for me, for you . . .  Now you  need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save . . .  He opened the heav’nly door, and we are blest forevermore . . .  Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” 

You are at peace with God through your Lord Jesus Christ. “He himself is our peace, who has . . . destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” 

Christ came into the world to bring peace between you and God, and also peace between you and your fellow man.  This is one of the main themes of the New Testament.  How the heavenly peace we have received from Christ will show itself here on earth in the lives of his followers. 

St. Paul says in Romans, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. . .  Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace.”  In Colossians he tells us the attitudes and actions which will bring peace to your life and relationships: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. . .  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

Finally, because of the Good News of that you are at peace with God through your Lord Jesus Christ, you can be at peace within.  “Fear not,” said the angel, “For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy . . .  for unto you is born . . . a Savior.”  He is Immanuel, God-with-Us.  In all your struggles he is never against you, he is never punishing you or angry with you.  He is God-with-you, at your side, and on your side.  St. Paul puts it this way in Romans, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”

The Greek word for peace, eirene, is like a perfectly calm, smooth pool of water.  As Psalm 23 says, “He leads me beside the still waters.”  But, when trouble comes into your life, it is like a pebble or rock being dropped into the pool, disturbing the calm, and creating ripples in your life.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  As we enter into 2015, the New Year will not always be for you like a calm, smooth, placid pool.  “In this world you will have trouble.”  There will be many little pebbles, and perhaps some big rocks, that will ripple through your life in the New Year.  “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  The one who commanded the winds and waves, “Be quiet, be still!” can also calm the troubled waters of your life.  “Take courage!” he said to the frightened disciples as he walked to them on the waves, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

At the end of 2nd Corinthians, St. Paul concludes, “Finally, brothers, farewell. . . .  live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Amen.

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