Peace on Earth?

     Once upon a time...“there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, 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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”  (Luke 2:8-14)

     Peace on earth, goodwill towards men – isn’t that how the song goes?

     “Bah Humbug!” A fairy tale if ever I’ve heard one.

     Where is this peace of which the angels sang? Where is this goodwill toward men? Anger, violence and hatred appear to permeate every corner of the world. 

     At Least 40 Killed in Iraq Car Bombing. Parent Body-Slams Referee at Youth Basketball Game. Amber Alert: 11 year-old Abducted from Parking Lot. Austin Chemistry Teacher Killed in Benghazi. One Year Anniversary of Newton Shooting.

     These high profile headlines are endemic of the millions of stories that daily go untold. Angry, abusive husbands lash out verbally and physically at their families; bedraggled mothers pull their children rag-doll-like through shopping malls; rage entangles drivers in deadly road warrior rituals; youth draw guns to solve any number of problems...

     Was life really that different in the first century that the shepherds believed such a song?

     How many peasants, people located on the bottom of the power and privilege grid of life, experienced peace and goodwill? Because their main tasks were providing water and grass for their flocks, they were often on the move, resulting in a constant life of transition from one temporary dwelling to another. 

     How many outcasts experienced peace and goodwill? The nature of their occupation often times made them unclean so they were unable to observe the Law's requirements.  Consequently, they couldn't participate in worship at the temple.

     How many people lacking a firm educational foundation experienced peace and goodwill? Shepherds had no formal training in the study of the Law, so they were considered ignorant. No sheepskin hanging on their walls.

     Three strikes: peasants, outcasts, ignorant. And these are the guys that are exuberant at the angels' anthem?

     Perhaps we need to back up to the beginning of the story, before the singing started, to find the hope that drove these shepherds forward.

     "An angel of the Lord appeared to them" Did you catch that? The angel appeared to these peasants, these ‘unclean’ shepherds.

      "...and the glory of the Lord shone around them" 400 years had passed since Israel had seen a recorded, visible sign of God’s presence among His people. Now these lowly shepherds witnessed the visible manifestation of God's presence, his Shekinah glory.  

     "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." It is "for all the people"! The unclean shepherds, unable to participate in temple worship, are included in the biggest party to come. The great banquet hall in heaven has a place reserved for them.

     Then a multitude of angels sing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men on whom his favor rests." Whoa! Wait a minute! Those poor, ignorant shepherds understood the song clearer and quicker than many of us who have sung the stanzas in centuries since. The secret of "peace on earth and goodwill toward men" was given on this very night to the shepherds.

     Do you see it?

     We've been asking the wrong question. We need to start at the beginning of the song. Where is the "glory to God in the highest"? “Ultimately God is due all glory

     We cannot expect man to be in right relationship with his fellow man unless he is first in a right relationship with God. We will not see peace on earth any other way. Peace with God must come before peace with man will arise.

     It has not come through racial reconciliation groups. It has not come through diversity training. It has not come through sensitivity training. It has not come through round-table discussions. 

     True lasting "peace on earth, goodwill toward men" will only come one way. All other efforts will mete out a seasonal cease-fire at best.

     The result of God’s visit to the shepherds? “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger.” (15-16)

     Nothing keeps them from immediate action – not even their job. They chose to worship the Lord of the work rather than the work of the Lord.

     The result of the shepherds’ visit to God?  “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (17-19)

     The shepherds became the first fishermen of the Christian era. The impact of this good news in the flesh upon their lives compelled them to go forward to “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”

     The end of the story?  "The shepherds returned, glorifying God and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." (v. 20)

     The shepherds heard the angels’ song. They understood the song. They lived the song. 

     Join the chorus! “Glory to God in the highest!”

   Prayer

 “Gracious and heavenly Father, thank you for using the shepherds to show that your value system is not the same as the world’s. Help us to look through the glitz and the glamour, the grease and the grime, to see people with Spirit-enhanced lenses. Forgive us for placing people in categories and labeling them like merchandise. Let your love flow through our lives. Oh, what a delight to see time and again that you are not silent. You desire to communicate with your creation. One angel wasn’t enough for the One who is able to do ‘exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever hope or ask for.’ You sent an army of angels that sung your praises on that precious night. And yet, they were but a mere flicker in comparison to the flame of your glory that shone forth. Help us to praise you, worship you, and not what you have created – be it angels or otherwise. Holy Spirit, help us to see the idols in our lives so that we might cast them down in pieces before you. To you alone be all glory, and honor, and praise! Lord Jesus, let our hearts sing forth your praises - as the angels did. Your favor rests upon our lives. You are Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! Let our hearts hurry to delight in coming into your presence - as the shepherds did. Let our minds ponder the mysteries of who you are – as Mary did. You truly are the Promise Keeper. Is it any wonder that the shepherds returned glorifying and praising your name when everything they heard and saw was exactly as you promised? Heavenly Father, thank you for being a God who delights in revealing yourself. ‘In the past you spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days you have spoken to the world by your Son, whom you appointed heir of all things, and through whom you made the universe.’ Let our hearts, minds, souls, and strength be spent searching out your Son that we might spread the Word concerning what you have shown us about Him.” Ω