2019 Advent Week Two: A Peace for All Creation

And the angel said unto them:

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men. (Luke 2:10-14, KJV)

We could use peace on earth this year.

Each Sunday during Advent, my family eats dinner in the early darkness of December. In the dim light we ignite one candle at a time.

On the first Sunday, our one flickering light appears courageous, standing so alone and small in a world of so much evil. But then the second is lit, then the third. By Christmas Eve, four candles will be burning. While the darkness is bigger than their bold flames, still, the darkness has not overcome them.

When the angels appeared to the shepherds on the night of the incarnation, they proclaimed a true wonder: in the highest heavens—glory to God. And on earth—peace, goodwill toward men.

What part of this announcement is more unbelievable? That the long-awaited Messiah has been born, right here in the city of David, and is right this moment lying in a manger? Or that God is proclaiming peace on earth, God’s goodwill toward mankind?

If my newsfeed is any indication, mankind does not reciprocate goodwill towards God or fellow man. It’s clear that we’ll gain no peace by our own devices. Hate, fear, bigotry, violence—we have these aplenty. Peace, not so much.

But when Jesus was born, the angels declared a great wonder: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.

This is the grace of the incarnation; this is the wonder of His love. This is the Good News: God is born among us, and He comes in peace and goodwill to the earth. His plan is bigger than just peace in my heart—He is remaking all of Creation.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Are you longing to see peace this Advent season? Receive this good news: the light of peace shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.