Theme of the Week: Uniqueness of Christmas
Bible Verse: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20
2000 years ago, angels announced the birth of Jesus Christ and indicated that he would bring peace on earth. If only it were true!
Peace on earth is the deep desire of all humankind, yet everywhere we look on this globe, we see everything but peace. People fight for land, for religion, for culture, for food, for freedom, and for a thousand other reasons.
Conflict and tension are substantial in relationships at all levels. The home, the school, the office, the factory, government councils, and the street are all modern war zones.
How dare God lift our hopes for peace, then let us smash on the rocks of reality! How can he do such a thing? Is His promise of peace on earth just a cruel cosmic joke?
A little boy was eagerly awaiting his daddy’s return from work. As soon as he walked through the door, the boy assaulted his father with requests to play and wrestle. Dad, however, had just put in a long, hard day. All he wanted to do was sit down, put his feet up, and read the newspaper. In order to secure a quiet time, he took a picture of the world out of the newspaper, tore it into tiny pieces and said, “Son, when you can put this puzzle of the world back together, then I’ll play with you.”
Much to the father’s shock, the boy was back in a few minutes with the picture of the world perfectly intact. “How did you do it so quickly, son?” “It was easy, Dad. On the back of the world was a picture of a man. When I got the man all straightened out, the world was perfect too.”
This is the essence of God’s peace plan. When God, through the angels, proclaimed “peace on earth” that first Christmas, he was not mocking us. He was not setting us up for disappointment. He was announcing his permanent peace plan. Through Jesus Christ he would get us, as individuals “all straightened out,” and thereby put the world back together.
If 10 pianos are tuned by different piano tuners with different pitch, there would be no sweet music among them. Trying to play them together would produce only ear-piercing discord. If all the pianos are tuned to the same tuning fork, however, they will automatically be tuned to each other. God’s plan is to tune each person’s heart to himself through Jesus Christ. When that is done we will all begin to be tuned to each other.
Jesus does not treat anyone different because of race, color, religious background, or social standing. All people, regardless of where they are coming from, can be brought together peaceably in Jesus Christ.
If your heart longs for a permanent peace with God and people, why not take some time this Christmas to check out the real Jesus. After all, the angels know what they were singing about! “Joy to the world! The Prince of Peace has come.”
Dave Petrescue in Pastor Dave’s Reflections. ©Brenda Petrescue, 2008. davepetrescue.com Used By Permission.
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