Christmas Message: Peace, And Goodwill Toward Men. Series

Christmas message: Peace, and goodwill toward men.

written by Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel, December 21, 2022

Reading: Luke 2:8-14

INTRODUCTION

The message of peace and goodwill toward men is part of the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth, it is a time of God demonstrating great love and renewed strength. We take this season to reflect on God’s love towards men, and it is deep meaning to us! Is there a reason to be rejoicing at all? what does it mean to have peace and goodwill from God? who are the kind of people that are involved in the entire glorious story of the event, if the question is to be asked?

I wish to mention the category of people that are part of this celebrant message of peace and goodwill of God. what is the response to that message?

1. The first people that are in the view here are those who Dislike Jesus.

2. The second people are those who are unconcerned with Jesus.

3. The third people are those who Worship Jesus.

Looking into the word “peace” biblically speaking, it means a person at peace has a good relationship between him and his creator, not having war or calamity per se, and has a good relationship within and with others, that does not Evoque tensions.

The announcing message of the angel at the birth of Jesus to the Wise men as Matthew identifies them, and the Shepherds as per the gospel of Luke.

1. THOSE WHO DISLIKE JESUS.

In the records that Matthew has, the Christmas message starts with the visit of the wise men, who see the new star in the sky and are told that in the City of David a Savior is born this day, who is Christ the Lord. The shepherds decided to go to Jerusalem to bring gifts to the Son of God who was to be born.

There is no indication whatsoever, that the angel asked them to carry the gifts to the born Son. But deemed a good and honorable thing to take with the gifts and when they went to enquire at Herod the king, as to where was the son born, troubled Herod, and all of Jerusalem with him. Herod engage himself after gathering all chief priests and scribes of the people together demanding where that Christ should be born. And was told in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah. What angered Herod was hearing that out of there a Governor was to come that shall rule my people, Israel. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Herod was unhappy with the news, the birth of Jesus was seen as a challenge to his rule, and he ordered all children from birth to two years old killed. The angel forewarned Mary and Joseph to run for safety with the baby in Egypt, and remain there until safe to return.

Herod disliking Jesus made him kill innocent children including those of his family relatives. This is how cruel such people can be.

For our attention, we need to ask the question, are we happy hearing about Jesus’ news?

If you are not pleased with the news of Jesus, why is that?

God is determined to protect at all cost those who are His and are in His plan, such is the message of Christmas of peace, and goodwill to men. He gives and protects lives of his own.

When you dislike a thing, killing is not a problem to you, and Jesus taught that the enemy comes to steal, destroy, and kill. But He came to give life in abundance. (John 10:10)

It is not surprising, when a person dislikes, is in an awful situation and is driven by hate. Jesus taught “If the world hates you know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18

2. UNCONCERNED WITH JESUS

The shepherds come from far with all effort to come and meet Jesus, whilst those in Jerusalem, the priests, and the scribes, knowing well scripture, where Christ was to be born, but they decided otherwise not to go and see him or meet him, why?

When I read, again and again, the scripture, I ask myself why not go and meet Jesus?

It is not easy, even in our world of view, there are still people who churched for many years but still deny the faith and Jesus. And of course, some who are not saved might have reasons not to be concerned with Jesus, for ignorance and lack of revelation, probably struck with what Jesus said during his life ministry “No man can come to me, except the Father, who has sent me, draw him, and I will raise him at the last day.” John 6:44

Are we to say that the scribes and the priests were not drawn by God then? How about those in Jerusalem at the time? They were all unconcerned to come to Jesus.