Peace and good will to all

Over the course of human existence, mankind seems to be engaged in a perpetual war. The human nature of greed and lust for power has no end. The Christmas season reminds us of God’s gift of His holy Son the Lord Jesus to the world. The angels in heaven announce the incarnate birth of the Lord Jesus to the shepherds at night and the song which you just heard (It came upon a midnight clear) summarized the message of peace. 

When the word ‘peace’ is uttered, most of us have in mind things like cessation of wars, reconciliation with our enemies at work, home and even at church. However, the most important peace that we need to secure is peace with God. Before the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, mankind is at enmity with God. The disobedience of our ancestor Adam created this enmity and we as his descendants have inherited it.   

The outcome of this disobedience or sin is the evil tendency of human nature which is manifested in everyone. Even young children without being taught have this tendency to strive with one another and act possessively. Parents with children can easily observe such behaviors amongst their siblings. The descendants of Adam tried to break this bondage of sin. They attempted by doing good works, practising religions and various other means, but all failed. Therefore, the Bible declared in Romans 3:23 that ‘all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’. In this conundrum, God sent His Son the Lord Jesus to the world to offer himself to bear our sins and provide us the basis for reconciliation with God and have peace with Him. 

The Lord Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.  

His crucifixion at the cross, done at His own volition, was to atone for mankind’s sins and open a path of reconciliation for those that trust in Him. This was His goodwill to everyone. Those who have trusted in Him have their sins forgiven. 

In the final part of the Bible passage, we read that the shepherds are not directed to search for the infant Jesus. But they were given a sign, a baby in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. Some of you may wonder the reason why God gave such a common sign for the shepherds to identify the gift of God’s Son. Nearly all babies are wrapped in swaddling clothes although not all are laid in a manger. Why not like the wise men, who were given an awesome sign of a travelling star in heaven and leading them there?  

I believe that God has given the shepherds a common sign to remind all of us that we need not look for exotic or esoteric signs if you wish to have the peace of God. Accept the spoken message of God (found in our Bible) and you need not search for a special article or person or sign. The prophet Jeremiah has declared in Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart”. 

Look for Him and secure your permanent peace with God.  

John 4:13  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:  

John 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 

With God’s Blessings, 

CL  

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