Introduction

Welcome, beloved friends, to this sacred space where we gather in fellowship and faith, united by the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. Our hearts are open, our spirits are eager, and our minds are ready to receive the Word of God.

In the timeless words of the respected theologian, J.I. Packer, "The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross."

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the Gospel of Luke, specifically Luke 2:14, a verse that captures the essence of the Christmas message Packer spoke of. It reads, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

This verse, dear friends, is a heavenly announcement, a divine declaration, a celestial proclamation of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It reveals to us the three profound truths we will focus on today: the provision of peace through the birth of Jesus, the prominence of God's favor through Jesus, and the promise of righteousness through Jesus.

Does not your heart stir at the sound of these truths? Can you feel the weight of their significance? Do they not fill your spirit with a sense of awe and wonder?

Provision of Peace through the Birth of Jesus

The peace that Jesus brought was not the absence of conflict or the cessation of war. It was a peace that surpassed all understanding, a peace that was deep, profound, and life-changing. It was a peace that could calm the stormiest seas of life, a peace that could soothe the most troubled hearts, a peace that could bring tranquility to the most chaotic situations.

This peace was for everyone: for the shepherds in the fields, for the wise men from the East, for the people of Israel, for the whole world. It was a peace that transcended all barriers of race, class, and nationality. It was a peace that was inclusive, universal, and all-encompassing.

The peace that Jesus brought was truly everlasting. It was a peace that could withstand the test of time, a peace that could endure through all the trials and tribulations of life. It was a peace that was constant, steadfast, and unwavering.

This peace was also a state of being, a way of life. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, and the noise and chaos of the world, the peace that Jesus brought was a refuge, a sanctuary, a haven. It was a peace that could bring calm to the storm, quiet to the noise, order to the chaos.

This peace went beyond Jesus’ day into our very own, and then also into eternity. This shows how it was all part of God’s intervention, a heavenly invasion, a celestial incursion. It was God stepping into our world, God entering our reality, God becoming one of us. And in doing so, He brought with Him a peace that is beyond our comprehension, a peace that is beyond our imagination, a peace that is beyond our wildest dreams.

Prominence of God's Favor through Jesus

The shepherds, upon hearing the news of Jesus' birth, were filled with great joy ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO