Peace on Earth
Luke 2:14
Introduction: They hated and they killed each other. Soldiers from invading Germany and defending French and British troops had dug themselves in 1914 along a front line with hundreds of miles of trenches, bunkers and barbed-wire which started at the North Sea at the Belgium port of Oostende, reached Nancy in France and ended in Switzerland at the Alps… But on the Christmas Eve of December 24th, 1914, something happened which has never ever happened before: the German soldiers started – out of the blue – a grassroots movement for peace and a spontaneous cease-fire. On the frontline, they wanted to end fighting for the Christmas days and celebrate Peace on Earth… German infantrymen in Belgium started to sing their favorite Christmas songs “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” (Silent Night, Holy Night) and “Oh Tannenbaum” (“Oh Christmas Tree”). On the other side, only 100 meters away, the British and French soldiers started to applaud and shouted: “Good, old Fritz”, “Encore, Encore” and “More, More.” The Germans answered, “Merry Christmas, Englishmen” and “We not shoot, you not shoot!” They put candles on their rifles and held them in the air to show them to the other side. Some built up Christmas trees with candles like in the living rooms at home…At the Yser canal, German soldiers stood up and just walked to the British troops shouting “Comrades, don’t shoot!” The Brits raised and walked to the Germans, they shook hands and smiled at each other. The 16th and 17th Regiments from Bavaria had organized a cease-fire near the destroyed city of Messines to bury their dead. The 20th Bavarian Regiment fraternized with the French of the 99th Infantry Regiment. The Saxonian Regiments (near Ploegsteet-Wald, Wulverge, Frelinghien) also made peace with their enemies. The 14th Warshire Regiment, stationed behind St. Yvon, documented the Christmas surprise in its “War Diary.” A German soldier shouted: “Come over here, Warwicks!” Then he marched to the English trench. A Warshire rifleman came out to meet him half way, both without weapons. Were they brave or mentally ill? Suddenly, many more men came out of the trenches to join them. The German soldiers gave the English some of their Christmas presents like hard wurst; the British handed out their Princess-Mary Boxes, Bully Beef and chocolate. This lasted from 8pm in the evening until noon the next day - a Christmas peace on the battlefield. The Commander of the 6th company of the 179th Royal Saxonian Regiment saw the Englishmen coming out of their trenches, waving and shouting “Merry Christmas!” He commanded: “No shooting!” and marched to the British officer. They wished themselves a Happy Christmas. Then they agreed on a local cease-fire for Christmas. Some soldiers even organized barbeques and soccer games together. After Christmas was over, the fights started again and led to the decline of Europe and the deaths of more and more young people. - Hubertus Hoffmann, A Soldier's Christmas Surprise in World War I, 1914, posted in Peace and Conflict, 23, December 2003
Peace on earth was what the angels said. But this was hardly what the angelic chorus meant. Have you ever thought about how misunderstood those words are? What is the peace that the angels referred to? Who are the intended recipients of that peace? How can you have that peace?
I. What Peace on earth is not
A. Universal Peace on earth is something that we need in our world today.
B. Popular is the song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” by Jill Jackson:
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
- Copyright 1955, renewed 1983 by Jan-Lee Music, ASCAP. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.
C. Like the nation of Israel the world seeks a political Messiah who would usher in a societal Utopia free of conflict. Yet the world finds itself fulfilling the words of Jeremiah 8:11 “saying, ‘Peace, peace; when there is no peace’.”
D. Domestic violence and abuse is rampant
1. Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
2. Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.
3. Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
4. Every day in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. - © 2013, Domestic Violence Statistics
E. “If Jesus is really the Messiah, why isn’t there peace on earth?”
II. The Peace of God –
A. John 14:27 “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”
B. The peace that the angels were talking about is described in Philippians 4:7 as “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.”
C. They were not speaking about freedom from earthly conflict or strife.
D. They were talking about a peace that would end the conflict of the ages.
E. They were talking about salvation peace.
F. As sinners, Colossians 1:21 tells us that man is “alienated” from God and “hostile” toward Him as demonstrated through evil actions.”
G. When Christ was born it marked the beginning of the end of the conflict. The means of our peace had entered into the world. The One who would bear our sins on a cruel rugged cross was sent by God to be born as the Lamb of God, God’s peace child – His provision for true lasting peace, a peace that resides within even in the midst of pain, eternal salvation and reconciliation.
H. Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men.”
I. You cannot have the peace of God until you first have peace with God.
J. You see the angels are talking about salvation peace with God.
III. Good will toward Men
A. Understand Christmas does not bring peace to all.
B. Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
C. Luke 2:14 (ESV) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
D. The Greek literally says,
