PEACE ON EARTH

READ: Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20

ANSWER THIS: What are you most anxious about, today?

THE BREAKDOWN

This is it. The day the prophets had foretold. The day the Savior of the world was to be born. He would be a king. He would rule the Earth. And, what better time or place to come? After all, Augustus Caesar ruled over a third of the planet. Should the Savior be born to a family favored by Caesar, that relationship could be used to spread the Messiah’s fame around the world.

But, no, that wasn’t to be the case.

Instead, His parents were a poor, teenage couple. When they arrive in the town of Bethlehem to register for the census, they can’t even find a room to stay in. Though she was obviously pregnant, no one makes space for the baby’s mother. Instead of a comfy bed, the child would be born in a feeding trough.

And who were the first people to greet the newborn King? Were they members of the royal family? Were they celebrities? No. The first people outside the immediate family to welcome the Savior are shepherds. The same shepherds to whom God sent a personal birth announcement, delivered by an angel. An angel whose presence was so alarming, he began his message with, “Don’t be afraid,” as angels were known to do (sound familiar?).

After that night, everything would be different. God, in His love and mercy, had come up with a plan to bridge the separation that sin caused between Him and humanity. As a result, mankind would finally experience true peace about where they stood with God.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

“Peace on Earth, goodwill to men.” We hear that a lot during Christmas. Yet, all around us, it seems like there’s everything but peace.

War. Murder. Bullying. Racism. Hate. That’s what we hear in the news... daily.

So, where’s the peace?

Sure, there are those unique stories about good deeds, courage in the face of adversity, heroic rescues... and THAT list goes on, too. But, they sure seem fleeting. Here today, gone tomorrow.

Could there be another kind of peace? The kind of peace that comes from knowing there’s a better life ahead, and an even better one after this life is over?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

Are you worried today? Scared about your future? Anxious about bad things happening all around you? Don’t be afraid. The Lord promises peace in spite of troubled times. Trust that He has things under control, even when it seems like He doesn’t.

PRAYER

“I’m so worried about my life, Lord. But, something tells me no matter what I may be going through, I needn’t be afraid. You are in control. You are the One who gives ‘peace to all men.’ Give me the peace that comes from knowing You.”