Finding Peace on Earth
I love Christmas.
I heard a saying years ago that during Christmastime adults seem a little more like children and children a little more like angels. My mother told me as an adult that when I was a young child, she could not tell me how close Christmas was because I would get too excited and wound up. Whenever I asked, her reply was always “two weeks” – even if it was December 23rd!
With all my enthusiasm about Christmas, as an adult, I find myself wondering when there will truly be peace on earth. With all the unrest in our country, our world, and even in our own hearts, finding the shalom of God seems difficult.
The beautiful Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”, by Henry Longfellow, expresses so beautifully the struggle of living as a believer in Christ in a broken world. The third stanza says, “And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said, For hate is strong, and mocks the song, Of peace on earth, good will to men.” Although these words were written 160 years ago, they accurately describe the discord, war, sickness, pain, and sin all around us.
The miracle of Christmas is that God reached down in love into our broken world, and more specifically, our broken lives, to save us.
The book of Titus describes this well by saying, “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:3-5a).
When the light of Christ enters our life, it is amazing to see the changes that God brings. Many of you can testify, with me, as to the life-changing work that Jesus has done in us and in the lives of our family members.
As you thank God for all that he has done in your life, I would encourage you to listen to a beautiful version of Longfellow’s famous carol performed by Casting Crowns here and as you do, remember to say a prayer of thanks to God for his grace and mercy.
Merry Christmas and may the perfect peace of Christ be yours today and each day.
David Landis, Superintendent