Luke 2:8-14. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
In the movies, when aliens invade it’s not usually a peaceful thing (E.T. being the exception). Invading aliens don’t typically bring peace on earth goodwill to men. But the one true alien invasion into our world, the invasion of Christ from heaven to earth, was the world’s greatest invitation to find peace on earth. A peace we could never produce on our own. A peace only God could supply. And not only peace but also the pleasure of God.
This is the good news of Christmas. God’s invasion and invitation into his peace is for everyone. Even the lowest of the low. The angels announcing our alien baby king went first to shepherds. Lowly, stinky, shepherds in a field near the little town of Bethlehem. They came with a message from Heaven of goodwill and grace for all who would receive the alien invader into their life.
Maybe it’s been a long time since you’ve heard the invitation of the angels. Maybe you’ve been convinced that God can’t possibly be pleased with you. Maybe you’ve been wondering if God is for you or against you. Maybe your worship has grown cold and your search for glory has left you more empty than full. Maybe all your past failures and ongoing struggles have left you feeling outside of God’s love. Out in the Bethlehem fields with the sheep. Unworthy to enter the Jerusalem temple with all the other worshipers.
Today will you once again hear the angelic chorus ring out the declaration of God’s heart:
Peace on earth. Shalom. I want you to flourish.
Pleased. I am for you, not against you.
For unto you. Yes, that means you.
A savior. I’m here to rescue you.
Who is Christ the Lord. Yes, I’m your king, but I am your shepherd king who lays down his life for the sheep.
In the movies when alien invaders come they come to attack, take over, and destroy. Their very presence proves how mean they are. But Jesus is the alien that came to help us, to rescue us from ourselves, to show us what real peace can be. What real love can be.
So hear the invitation of God today to go and find the Christ child. The Prince of Peace. The one who takes all our sins and all our sorrows and turns them into everything good. The one that will take us to be with him forever. Run to him. Embrace him and embrace your alien God.
You
Have you accepted God’s invitation to come to the Christ child?
You in Christ
Savior, Christ, Lord – which of these truths encourages you the most today? Which brings peace to your heart?
Christ in you
Can you imagine what it would look like if God’s peace ruled your heart?
***
Playlist: Peace On Earth.
Click Here to this playlist on Spotify!
***
To see today’s post from the TLIC Family blog –> Click Here
To Live is Christ 