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.
Immanuel signified God with us, yet people decided to distance themselves from Jesus.
The message of Christmas is to remind you that He cares for you and is ready to save you as you draw near to God, He will draw near to you as well, scripture says so. (Hebrews 7:25)
You are in mess, come to Him, you are far and living without hope come to Him for safety. he is the only one that gives life, and hopes for a good future.
Imagine, for the scribes as people who were teachers and copyists of the scripture, how did they manage to fail to grasp the coming of Jesus with enthusiasm?
Unconcerned people are self-gratified people, in such a manner that they think they know it all and need nothing more. The priests and scribes are not interested and were forfeiting all that peace and goodwill that God was to provide to them.
I am not sure if what I think here can be one of the reasons why, since they were people to copy and preserve the scripture, they avoided the cost involved of presenting gifts to Jesus as opposed to what the shepherds did.
Herod the king and all of Jerusalem with him were not concerned with going and worshiping Jesus, (Matthew 2:2-3) we know that Herod’s intentions were evil, since the killing of innocent children, but the shepherds inquired about the way to lead them to the place where the Son was to be born, not knowing that they were asking that noble task from the wrong people who are unconcerned of the peace and goodwill that God meant.
3. WORSHIPPING JESUS.
Luke 2:8-14, we see the glory shining around the “shepherds” (V.9) who were struck by “fear”, but told to be calm. The signs are given to them of how they will find the baby. The angelic announcement message is apparent to them, what happens, they see with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, “and saying glory be to God in highest and on earth peace, goodwill to men.”
This is a call to a celebration as initiated by the angel, who announces what the baby Jesus will be capable of bringing, again peace, and goodwill of God towards men. Who cannot be happy with this good news?
The shepherds react promptly and decided to make efforts and mobilize resources that before going to pay a visit to this baby born, let have something good to offer. In anticipation of the celebration of the heavenly host, they bring with them Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. which prophetically means a lot. (Gold is associated with royalty, and it will help the parents to take care of the bay Jesu, and the remaining two gifts are associated with his life and suffering that he would endure after).
When the shepherds get there, even if scripture doesn’t tell us, how long it took them to reach Bethlehem, except that we are told that when they arrived, they venerate themselves before the baby, and offered gifts to him.
Christmas celebration should be in worshipping Jesus Christ as the Savior and shut down all pagan celebrations as well as all that the flesh influences on His people, and therefore embracing that which is holy, that brings peace and goodwill from our God.
Let this celebration be an opportunity for us to mend our ways, and accept Jesus as the Savoir of our lives. This is the worship He deserves. (Isaiah 25:1)
CONCLUSION
Peace is the blessing from God that have effects of righteousness and results in quietness and trust forever. We know that a righteous person is not sinless, but one who trusts the Lord Jesus Christ in offering the body as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1)
Let the glory that surrounded the shepherds overshadow you.
May you be blessed.
Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will never regret having made this decision.
Shalom, may you find peace and goodwill in all that you are doing and going through?
I wish you a Merry Christmas. Shalom
