In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:8–14)
Peace on earth.
It’s a theme that pervades many Christmas stories today.
For starters, our beloved Hallmark movies always have their picture-perfect endings—just in time for Christmas.
Beyond that, many Christmas songs will serenade us with stories of nice things: soft snowfalls, gentle fires, sweaters and smiles for everyone. How nice.
And I’m sure you’ve heard the story of the “Christmas Truce” of 1914, when frontline forces from Germany and Britain unexpectedly laid down their arms on Christmas day so that they might join with one another and sing Christmas carols, play soccer, and enjoy a day without war.
But when it comes to THE Christmas story, where was the “peace on earth” there? Where’s the “peace among men” in that one?
Is it with Mary and Joseph in the manger scene? You know, the one where they had just hiked tens of miles only to get stuck with a stable to stay in. The one where these two expectant parents still weren’t married and were therefore subject to societal shame and suspicion. The time when Mary was giving birth as her people writhed under Caesar’s boot, and when a tyrannical madman was hunting for herbaby in a plot that—lest we forget—ended in a statewide genocide of children (Matt 2:16). No, the earth was not at peace on Christmas night.
What about the shepherds? Well, let’s not forget their story either. They’ve just been stunned and terrified in the middle of the night by a glowing spirit being from heaven, right before getting ambushed by heaven’s armies who then erupt in praise. Not the typical nightshift. Did any sheep scatter? Who had to go after them? No time to consider that, because these shepherds shoot off huffing and hurrying to try to locate the very Baby to whom those angels will bow (2:16). Big things are happening here, and again “peace” doesn’t quite capture the scene.
What did Jesus say about peace? “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division” (Luke 12:51).
What’s going on here?
Later on in Luke—right after a scene remarkably similar to this one of the shepherds in chapter 2 (cf. 19:37ff)—Jesus weeps over His beloved city with these words: “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes…you did not recognize the time of your visitation” (19:41–42).
People missed the things which make for peace, mainly because they missed Jesus.
So many people missed Jesus, but not the shepherds. Thanks to God, they knew more than others regarding “the things which make for peace.”
While the earth was not at peace on Christmas night, peace was on earth. Peace had come to those on whom God’s favor rested, to those whom God revealed Himself. It was held by those whom God loved, because peace had now become possible to those who saw in Jesus the arrival of their “Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (2:11).
Where’s the peace in THE Christmas story? It’s not in the world as a whole. It’s in Jesus, the Savior of sinners who by God’s grace makes peace between sinful men and their sovereign Maker.
It’s through Jesus that God’s favor now comes to us in full, and we can enjoy peace with God. As Paul said, “It was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col 1:19–20). It’s this peace that we can have, as we anticipate the reconciliation of all things and the picture-perfect ending still to come.
So while all men are not at peace with one another today, our souls can be at peace with God by His great grace. And this good news of great joy is “for all the people” (2:10).
