“Merry Christmas!”(Lk.2:1-14).
A compulsory census took Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the town of David, where they went to register.
While there, Mary gave birth and placed the baby in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. At that instance shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks at night were visited by an angel. The shepherds were terrified, but the angel assured them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord…”
We learn that a great company of the hosts of heaven appeared with the angel praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”
The song of praise by the heavenly throng indicates that, on earth peace is to those on whom God’s favour rests. Peace is constantly on our lips because we are all desirous of peace.
I tried to capture the meaning of peace again and got this; that peace can be any of the following:
- a state of tranquility or quiet.
- a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom.
- freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
- harmony in personal relations
- a state or period of mutual concord between governments
- a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity.
It seems our clamour for peace often focus on numbers 2,4,5 and 6. When these ones become our focus, we may end up causing more chaos if justice is not at the core of it. Rather than clamouring for peace, it may be prudent to “cry justice.”
“Peace without justice is like a crumbling city wall!”
God’s peace is for those on whom his favour rests. “His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation”(Lk.1:50).
There is no stratification; no class distinction, as long as his favour is on you. The main characters in the narrative were ordinary people. Joseph was a local village carpenter and his wife Mary an ordinary girl, yet favoured of God! The baby born to be king was laid in a manger where animals fed. The first recipients of the good news about the birth of the Saviour were ordinary shepherds.
So to say, my dear friend, God uses ordinary people for extraordinary feats; so long as his favour rests on them. That is why Jesus Christ is good news!
When God’s favour rests on you, you will experience the peace which accompanies Christ. Such peace is that state of tranquility or quiet; a freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. To have such peace, Paul recommends: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”(Phi.4:6-7). God’s peace serves as a guard over our hearts and minds so that the sins which the blood of Christ has washed away should no longer hold us captive. Hallelujah!
As we commemorate the birth of the Christ may God’s peace on earth be ours because his favour rests on us. Let us rejoice!
Prayer: Thank you LORD for this news of great joy that is for all people; including me. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you! Merry Christmas!
Rev Babila Fochang.