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PEACE (CHRISTMAS DAY REFLECTION)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

ISAIAH 9:2-7

TITUS 2:11-14

LUKE 2:1-20

CHRISTMAS REFLECTION

The theme for our Christmas reflection is Peace. Peace is translated shalom in the Hebrew language. Peace is the totality of a person’s well-being which springs from his or her relationship with God. It is the completeness one experiences physically, morally, psychologically, socially, and spiritually as a result of his or her salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. In essence peace could still be experienced even in times of challenges or crises. We shall look at the following facts about peace:

1. Without God at the centre of leadership or governance, the nation cannot experience peace.
2. The Salvation of the Lord brings peace into our lives.

First, without God at the centre of our national life, the nation cannot experience an era of peace. Isaiah ministered in Judah, the southern Kingdom where King Ahaz reigned as King. King Ahaz was being threatened by his northern neighbours, Israel and Syria. King Ahaz fell on Assyria, a pagan empire for support and protection against his northern enemies. God sent Isaiah to deliver His message of assurance, hope and protection to King Ahaz to trust only in Him, the God of His father David whose throne Ahaz occupied and not to put his hope in the Assyrians who will eventually mislead him and his kingdom with their idol practices and worship. God will show King Ahaz a sign of His redemptive hand in the affairs of Judah through the birth of a son. It is for this reason Isaiah said “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7 ). Isaiah’s message had an existential and prophetic manifestation. It must be understood that King Ahaz could not have understood Isaiah’s message in reference to Jesus Christ. The son being referred to during the time of King Ahaz was most probably Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the son of King Ahaz. Hezekiah was one of the few kings of Judah who was constantly aware of God’s acts in the past and His involvement in the events of every day. The Bible describes Hezekiah as a king who had a close relationship with God, one who did “what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 31:20). During King Hezekiah’s reign, Judah truly experienced a long period of Peace. In other words, the Lord was with them, they prospered and triumphed over their enemies until Hezekiah made the mistake of disobeying the Lord. Dear friend, human Kings or leadership could lead the nation to have a steady relationship with God that will result in peace. This is where Jesus who is also a descendent of David becomes the prophetic manifestation of Isaiah’s message. Jesus came as King and the promised Messiah. Without Jesus at the centre of Human leadership and affairs, we cannot experience true peace. Human leadership will keep disappointing us and leading us astray until they allow Jesus to reign in their hearts then the Prince of Peace will give us shalom. Until Jesus reigns in the hearts of human leaders, corruption, injustice, oppression and insecurity will continue to be experienced by a nation. Christmas reminds us that God sent His Son into the world so whoever will receive Him as Lord and Saviour will have peace.

Secondly beloved in the Lord, even if the leadership of a nation and the majority of people do not put their trust in Christ as the giver of peace, those who are saved in a wayward or misguided nation shall experience the peace of God. We experience this divine peace through salvation in Jesus Christ who is the gift of God to the world. The fulfilment of God’s promise through the Prophet Isaiah happened when “An angel of the Lord appeared to them (the Shepherds), and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace(shalom) to those on whom his favour rests.” (Luke 2:9-14) Dear friend, those whom His favour rests upon are those who believe in Him as Lord and Saviour. They shall experience the peace of God because they have been saved by His grace through Christ. For this reason, Paul admonishes us through his letter to Titus, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14). In other words, God’s grace has brought salvation through Christ. In Christ, we have peace and liberation from this ungodly and sinful world. When we return to ungodliness and our past sinful ways then we are no longer beneficiaries of His grace. If we are no longer beneficiaries of His grace then we are not saved and sin will dominate our lives. When we live in sin we shall have no peace in our lives. This is what happened to the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, he left his father’s house where he was safe and experienced peace. Out there in the sinful world, he no longer experienced the grace, protection and peace that His father gave him but immediately he returned home, he found grace, protection or safety and peace restored in his life. Jesus came into the world so that by His grace and our repentance and faith in Him we shall be saved and His peace restored in our lives. Jesus assures us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

In summary, we have meditated on the theme “Peace” and we have discovered two important facts: Without God at the centre of leadership or governance, the nation cannot experience peace. Again, the Salvation of the Lord leads brings us peace. May the Holy Spirit guide our leaders to have a deepened relationship with Jesus, the Prince of peace so that the nation will continually experience the peace of God, and may we also be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to continually live godly lives as a result of our salvation, so that the peace of God will abide with us always. Amen.