Proverbs 3:17. [Wisdom’s] ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
On the night that Jesus was born, shepherds were watching over their flocks by night. You know the story. Suddenly an angel appeared and announced to them the good news that Jesus had been born. Here’s the story from Luke’s gospel:
Luke 2:8-14. 8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And 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!”
The angels didn’t just announce the birth of a baby, they announced peace on earth. What on earth (literally) do those two things have to do with each other? How could a baby bring peace?
Peace was not a new concept to Luke, or the Shepherds, or anyone living in the Roman Empire for that matter. Caesar Augustus’ whole political platform was centered around accomplishing peace on earth. This was the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. Hasn’t Augustus already brought peace to the empire and thus to their world? Hasn’t he already accomplished peace on earth?
Apparently not.
Why not? Because for there to be peace on earth there must also be glory to God in the highest. Or, as Proverbs 3:17 puts it, there must be wisdom, the fear of the Lord, in order for there to be peace. Glory to God in the highest was not part of Augustus’ agenda. Glory to Rome? Yes. Glory to himself? For sure. Which means any peace he accomplished was not a true peace. It was peace through threats and fear. Peace through power and position. Peace through conquest and consequences.
But Christmas is about peace through a person. A savior. A Christ. A baby.
The angels didn’t appear to the royal courts in Rome, or even to the palace in Jerusalem. They appeared to the every-man, the shepherds. Those that they knew would spread the good news and care for the child. They were a preview of the shepherd that Jesus would become. The shepherd-king that would connect Heaven and Earth and be our peace.
That manger, where Heaven met Earth, is now our heart. The peace of God lives in us by our union with the Prince of Peace. Peace with God through the forgiveness of sins allows us to say with pure hearts, Glory to God in the highest. We worship him free from all fear. Something no Roman citizen could ever say about their relationship with their king.
Are you experiencing the peace that comes from the wisdom of God? The wisdom that would appear to be completely foolish to the world? The wisdom of lowering yourself to the place of complete helplessness? That’s what Jesus did for us. He came to us to be wisdom for us, obedience for us, peace with God for us.
Will you embrace this peace today?
You: Where do you usually go looking for peace on earth?
You in Christ: In what way is peace found in a person different from peace found in a circumstance?
Christ in you: How can you shift your thinking today concerning what brings you peace?
Pray: Father, I sure could use your peace today. Help me to find it in your Son not my circumstance. Amen.
To Live is Christ 