How did Christ bring "Peace and Goodwill on Earth"? (Luke 2:14)

It’s Christmastime! Many of us love this time of year as we prepare to celebrate with family and friends. The twinkling lights, the beautifully decorated trees, the sights and sounds, and the smells of our favorite baked goods come together to paint the picture that all is well on the earth.

Yet, we know otherwise.

Many of us crave the image in our heads of family coming close, friends getting together, and joy and peace marking each moment, yet the reality often looks very different. There is a gap between the ideal we have in our heads and the reality played out in our lives. Far more often, there are struggles in relationships, family bickering, loneliness in our hearts, and chaos in our schedules.

Yet, a baby came to earth and was laid in a manger. Angels announced his birth in a cry from heaven, saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  ~ Luke 2:14, KJV

How do we experience this promise that was given? Why do we often feel the opposite? Our hearts are hurting. Our budgets are lacking. Our families are fighting. Our minds are reeling. Our bodies are aching. Why? One simple yet complex answer resounds.

S-I-N.

In Genesis 1-2, life was good. Things were beautiful and clean. We were made in the image of God, and our God is 100% perfection. We were perfect because He is perfect! But in that tragic Genesis 3 moment, we responded poorly to God’s gift of choice. We chose our way and rejected the God who made us. Instantly, sin crashed into our DNA, twisting and marring everything in its path. Our rejection ushered in imperfection that was never meant for us. Yet, in His mercy and unfathomable love, God decided to save us!

God knows our broken situation. Because of our bruised and messed-up state, he sent Jesus in the first place. He knows that our sins run deep like a disease of the soul, invading every healthy space and replacing it with sickness. We are unclean. We are stained.

However, sin always requires retribution. There must be punishment for the crimes committed. There must be a payment to redeem what is owed. This is the reason God sent His son, born in a manger. To grow up and one day die on what should have been your cross! My cross! When Jesus came as that baby, it was a RESCUE MISSION that would come at a GREAT price.

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. ~ Isaiah 53:5, NLT

Redemption did not “just happen.” Someone had to pay for all the sins. All the wrong. The offender was all of humanity, including you and me. And, by God’s decree, total bloodshed was the price tag.

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. ~ Romans 3:25

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. ~ Ephesians 1:7, NLT

Freedom was purchased! Forgiveness is available! A perfect, merciful, and loving Savior made the sacrifice required. All we must do is accept the gift. Believe in faith. Receive him as Lord of our lives.

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. ~ Isaiah 1:18, NLT

Come now, let’s settle this! God says our sins are like scarlet. The Good News for all those who receive it is that every scarlet sin is covered by Christ’s scarlet blood! Red covers red!

Red + my best efforts = still red

Red + Christ’s RED = WHITE!

We need Christ’s red to cover our red. His red, his innocent blood, is the payment for our sins. His bloodshed opens the door to a restored relationship with our Creator and an eternally redeemed life.

THIS IS WHY WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS! We have hope! We do not have to live condemned and unclean. We can experience God’s peace and goodwill eternally and now.

This Christmas, let’s settle this! So many of us are unsettled in our souls. God reaches out to settle the matter. We no longer have to live in our unclean, broken state. We cannot clean ourselves. We must receive the gift of our Savior, Who washes us white as snow. We must be eternally settled as we receive the gift of our Savior and Lord. And we must walk daily settled as we remain close to our Lord with every breath and thought. Walking with our Savior brings peace to our minds. Staying in the love of Christ pours out blessings and goodwill with each step we take. Together, let us commit our hearts and dedicate our lives to the Savior who came and is alive today. And may this be the BEST CHRISTMAS YET.

by Susan Thomas