The hope of the ages, “peace on earth,” will be our reality someday
By Dean Collins
The angels gave glory to God and announced peace on earth at the birth of Christ. Both the Christmas hymns of the saints and many Christmas songs written by those of no allegiance to Jesus refer to the peace of Christmas. We will all soon sing “Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace” to the Baby in the manger. Yet the Christ of Christmas offers peace to us, and not just on Christmas Eve but for every day and for eternity.
On his last night on earth Jesus told his followers, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” But the world, desperately needing peace on earth, struggles to find a path to achieve it. And through the decades, we have held up the dream, the ideal, the search for peace.
For example, in 1977, David Bowie and Bing Crosby sang an arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy” superimposed with the message of “peace on earth” and the haunting question, “Peace on earth, can it be?” (Click here to listen to it .)
World leaders attempt to bring this peace through treaties and sometimes ironically through war. Politicians talk about it but fail miserably at demonstrating it in their relationships with each other. And at Christmas, we nostalgically long for it as we sing and pray that God would let there be peace on earth.
Not as the world offers
When Jesus said he left his peace with us as a gift, he also told us this peace is not the same as the peace the world offers. Civilizations through the centuries preceding the birth of Christ were never able to establish peace on earth. And in the 2,000 years since Christ, no political movement has ever or ever will bring peace. Jesus spoke his truth in the middle of the Pax Romana, a period of remarkable stability in the Roman Empire. But like all peace begun by human effort, it did not last.
There is only one pathway to peace on earth. He came wrapped in rags, later abandoned his shroud at his resurrection, and will one day come in glory. Only then will we live in the peace of his presence for eternity. But his words in John 14 suggest that we need not wait until he comes to have peace. He offers it not just at Christmas but every day.
Loving like Jesus
Though some in the world may seem to come together for peaceful moments in seasons like Christmas, the world is filled with many troubles. Living in a fallen world, the Prince of Peace told us we would experience these troubles but that we could have peace and not fear because he, through his death and resurrection, has overcome the world, even conquering death itself.
As Jesus finished his teaching in the Upper Room, he declared that you and I, as followers of Christ, not only are given peace but also both the responsibility and the privilege of making his love, his peace, and his presence known to the world. The method of making these things manifest comes through loving others the way Christ loves us.
It is amazing and wonderful how we give gifts, serve meals, and share generosity during the Christmas season. But if the world is ever to experience the peace and life Jesus offers we must commit to living with this same generosity, kindness, and love throughout the year and for all of our lives here on earth.
More recently, Casting Crowns lifted up peace on earth in their new arrangement of and added lyrics to the old hymn, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Their haunting rendition (hear it here), leads us to ponder the question again, “Peace on earth, can it be?”
Yes and only in Jesus. But only if we as the hands and feet of Jesus daily reveal his glory through our love.
Your time with God’s Word
John 14:21-23 ESV
Photo by Guillermo Casales on Unsplash
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