Near the end of each and every year, most of the world looks to the ultimate idea of peace on Earth. Centuries have now passed, and we still have yet to experience such a concept. What were the angels speaking about when they proclaimed over two thousand years ago: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (John 2:14)? Jesus came and went, but still, everywhere we turn, there is some kind of disturbance and conflict. So where is this “peace”?
Actually, peace came, but we failed to recognize its form. It was not in a notion, maxim, law, or teaching, but rather in a person—Jesus Christ.
When He was born, most of the Jewish people thought He was going to overthrow their oppressors. They were anticipating Him rounding up a large mass of able-bodied men and taking out the Roman government by physical force. When He failed, in their eyes, to fulfill this expectation, they just ruled Him out, and even up to this present day, they continue to look for the one who is to bring harmony among the nations and people.
Instead of taking care of just the symptoms, Jesus went straight to the source of all disorder and conflict.
When He came to this earth, and was laid in a feeding trough in the midst of a little stable, it was not for sentimental value. He did not come so that He could grace the panels of holiday greeting cards in the future. His desire was to defeat the works and control of the devil in our lives. He made it possible for everyone to gather together as one in Him before God.
A verse in the popular Christmas hymn ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ states, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.” Through Jesus, two opposites of our inner being, hope and fear, are brought together and settled in Him. It did not matter who came to the young Savior of the world during that point in time. Whether they were wealthy or destitute, rulers or shepherds, men or angels, helpless or powerful individuals, all were the same in His presence. Now, think about the fact, that if this one young Christ could bring all of these opposing types of individuals in unison before Him, then what will He be capable of accomplishing next as the King of all Kings?
This is the real significance of Christmas. Only Jesus Christ can unite all of us in Him with true peace. The Bible says that “There is neither Jew nor Greek [non-Jew], there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). There will always be clashes, discord, wars and disagreements, no matter what effort any individual, local, or world body may attempt to achieve, in regard to earthly peace. Whether it is Christmas, or any other time of the year, let us keep in mind that it is only when we yield our life over to Jesus that all of our hopes and fears are unified and reconciled in Him, the Prince of peace. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
For information on yielding your life to Jesus please visit our page on The Way to God.
[Additional image credits: Featured image (when applicable) by user 6248913 on Pixabay; Opening photo by Elijah Hiett on Unsplash]
