“The Twelve Blessings of
Christmas: Peace”
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.” Return to Top | Return to Sermons | Home | Email Church Office
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