Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others- the armies of
heaven- praising God:
"
Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
(Luke 2. 13 & 14).
The wonderful gospel (good news), the greatest news in all of history,
the fact that Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God came and lived
here among humans and died to pay for our sins, rose again on the third
day, then sent his Holy Spirit to live in us, so we can live with him
forever, focuses our attention at this time, on the most amazing birth
ever.
THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR
Born in the small town of Bethlehem, under Roman occupation, Mary, his
mother wrapped the newborn Jesus in strips of cloth and laid him in a
manger. He came to share the hardships, traumas, frustrations and
heartaches of those he came to redeem.
He participated in their daily struggles. He was shunned and mocked. His
life and death was clearly foretold by Isaiah (52.13-15):
"
See my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. Many were
amazed when they saw him, beaten and bloodied, so disfigured that one
would scarcely know he was a person."
And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in
his presence, for they will see what they had not previously been told
about: they will understand what they had not heard about.
It is easy to see why kings who were primarily interested in perpetuating
their dominion and gain greater influence would be simply stunned when
confronted with the Creator, the King of Kings who gave up the splendor
and power he always had, to come and live as a servant and die to save
us.
AMAZING GRACE
This saving grace is unheard of, they will say. Yes, the vast majority
of humanity has never even heard of this amazing grace. They have not
been told. They are not aware. The grace of God is so phenomenal, so
surprising that it's hard to believe.
Isaiah continues in 53.1-3:
"
Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving
power? My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot,
sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing
beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.
He was despised and rejected- a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He
was despised, and we did not care."
All this was for our sakes, to establish peace between God, and us so we
can in turn have with one another and ourselves.
AMAZING PEACE
Continuing with Isaiah 53.4-6:
"
Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem
him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his
stripes we were healed."
We see here that he was subjected to torture, beating and insult for our
sakes, so we can have peace. He also suffered many stripes for our
healing.
AMAZING GRACE RESULTS IN AMAZING PEACE
The peace Jesus made possible when we believe in him is the peace of God.
This peace is beyond description and understanding. It is the peace
accompanied by love and joy you experience when you are saved. You know
that he has you in the palm of his hand, which was pierced for you, and
nothing can separate you from his loving care.
This peace does not depend on external events, conditions and
circumstances.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, JOY AND PEACE
Because God gives these permanently, they are not predicated on extrinsic
factors.
When you believe in Jesus, you receive his grace. Salvation is by grace,
through faith.
You accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior of your life. When you are
reborn of the water and the Spirit, upon repentance and baptism you
receive the Holy Spirit, you start your new life. You now live this new
life by Jesus Christ, the Son of God who lives his perfect life in you.
DAILY VICTORY
He gives you the strength and ability to do his will daily. (John 3.5),
(II. Cor. 5.18).
Now, we have the task of helping others see this wonderful good news,
inviting them to also accept the opportunity to be reconciled to God.
This ministry of reconciliation is the work of peacemaking, informing
humanity on God's behalf of the peace which God has made available for
them when Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross in Calvary. Everyone
who enters into this relationship of peace with God by acknowledging
Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, being baptized and filled with the
Holy Spirit, so Jesus Christ will come and live in them eternally. (John
3.16).
GRACE AND PEACE BE UNTO YOU
This is the greeting to all the churches in the opening of every letter
St. Paul wrote. Why?
Because without grace there is no peace, and when you have grace you also
have peace. Grace and peace are fraternal twins. They come together. In
your relationships if you extend grace you will have peace. Peace is
provided by the Holy Spirit along with love, joy and other benefits.
Our Lord has Prince of Peace as part of his name, in Isaiah 9.6 & 7:
FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN. UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN.
His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will
never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne
of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty
will guarantee this!
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas we invite you to attend
church services at a church near you. The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you and yours always. Amen!
