The shepherds were doing what shepherds do at a certain time of year - hangin' with the sheep. It was all pretty routine camping under the stars until a terrible figure flashed onto the scene. He exuded an intense light "not of this world" and left the shepherds groveling in abject terror. Perhaps their fear began to fade when this angel announced some good news, namely, the date and location of a Saviour's birth. Next, a heavenly chorus beamed down, declaring “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14). The fanfare was not lost on the shepherds who concluded something big was afoot. They acted on this angelic intelligence report and were not disappointed.
Since that night almost two millennia ago, Christmas cards have heralded the moment using the phrase "Peace on Earth" as the focal point of their cover art. The phrase seems to anchor a lot of our culture's Christmas sentiment, which ranges all over the peace map. Some celebrate God's initiative to restore peace between Himself and men through His Son, Jesus. The more politically correct celebrate a hippie inspired notion of world peace. For families in conflict, Christmas peace is a relational cease-fire, a brief truce where everyone tries to "get through the holidays" without igniting renewed hostilities. Merchants are looking for some sort of peace connection to their products which they can exploit to boost Christmas sales figures.
I found this ad a creative example: Having your septic tank cleaned for visiting family and friends is how to enjoy peace of mind at Christmas. Wow! Peace on earth from something as simple as septic service. Who knew?
So are we honoring the birth of Jesus in all this? I am not denying one jot or tittle of the angels report to the shepherds. But are we justified when we connect the angelic declaration to the enjoyment of some sort of generalized peace in our time?
Here is a passage that must be placed alongside Luke 2:13-14 because it seems contradictory. It captures words of Jesus uttered about 30 years after the angels' birth announcement. Jesus declares to his followers, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division” (Luke 12:49-51).
So who's right? The angels who suggest that Jesus came on a peace mission? Or Jesus who declares He has come to grant anything but peace? What do you think?
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