Untitled Sermon (3)

(READ Luke 2:8-14

Luke 2:8–14 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

This passage inspired one of the most commonly quoted phrases during the Christmas season. “Peace on earth” This idea of “Peace on earth” is something people desperately search for during the Christmas seasons, yet they are often discouraged because they can never seem to find a definitive answer. For being such a quoted saying, no one can seem to agree on a straightforward answer. This is because as a human race, we have varied opinions and ideas on how we should define “Peace”. Here are some quotes famous influential people trying to define “Peace”

“Peace is liberty in tranquility.” —Marcus Tullius Cicero

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” ― Siddhārtha Gautama

“Peace begins with a smile." ― Mother Teresa

“Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” —Ronald Reagan

“When you make peace with yourself, you make peace with the world.” —Maha Ghosananda

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

As you can see humanity is in complete agreement with each other on how to define “Peace.” No wonder people are so confused when searching for “Peace on Earth” during the holidays. So how should we as Chistians define “Peace on Earth.” Since we are celebrating the birth of Christ, it would seem rather imperative that we be able to define what his peace is and what it represents. The best example I believe is in Philippians 4:4-7

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

There are three main ways people go about understanding this passage

This peace is beyond the ability of human reasoning to comprehend;

I doubt Mary and Joseph would have viewed the night of Christ’s birth as peaceful. Other than maybe thinking they are responsible for the promised prince of peace being born in a manger. Mary and Joseph probably feel like pretty bad parents. They have felt as if they are completely failing at their appointed task of being parents to the Messiah. It’s easy for us to understand how Mary and Joseph felt like they were failing God and humanity as a whole.

We know however the humble beginnings of Jesus is vital to his story as savior

However when the shepherds arrive and tell Mary and Joseph of the Angels testimony, things begin to change. Mary listened to all the Angels said to her and pondered them in her heart. The peace of Christ transcends all understanding.

This peace is vastly superior to human perception and therefore heals the troubled heart more thoroughly;

When the Magi came to worship Christ, it was an announcement of peace. The gentile Magi worshiping Jesus was a foreshadow of gentile inclusion, one of mankind's most important moments in having peace with God.

However good luck convincing the people of Jerusalem the Magi were a harbinger of God’s peace. Matthew 2 tells us that all of Jerusalem was troubled at the sight of the Magi. Why? Because nearly 500 years earlier men from the East came from Babylon and traveled to Jerusalem. However they weren’t searching for a king, rather a kingdom they wanted to forcefully integrate into their own. They arrived in Jerusalem and destroyed the city and took most of its inhabitants as captives.

Yet here they are worshiping, arriving in peace bringing gifts of great value to Christ. A journey once made in hostility is now made in peace. All things being made new in the image of Christ. The Peace of Christ transcends all understanding.

God seems to favor items which once represented pain and suffering, and then used them to represent healing and peace.

This reminds of the passage in Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

it is more effective and accomplishes far more than any human effort could ever attain.

This is the truth of the Christmas story, whether it’s the Angles, shepherds, magi, Mary and Joseph, and of course Jesus.

The only thing left is to let the peace shown in the Christmas story to guard our hearts.

How we do that when the peace of the Christmas story seems distant because of

Hardships

Suffering

Questions and doubts.

When understanding is transcended; surrender must be ascended. Peace cannot guard our hearts unless we let it, this requires our surrender. This may not be more important than when peace seems distant, absent, and more difficult to understand with each day. Surrender to Christ, surrender to the truth of his peace, so wonderfully displayed in this story. Then perhaps will can ponder their wonder in our hearts.