INTRODUCTION
This is the account of the first Christmas and some observations from the Birth of Jesus Christ that brought peace on the Earth.
1. THE BIRTH OF JESUS HAPPENED IN A REAL DAY TO BRING PEACE ON THE EARTH
Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
The birth of Jesus happened on a real day. A day in history. Not a day in some mythological, imaginary story, but a day when “Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome and Quirinius was governor of Syria.”
It was a day planned in eternity before the creation of the world. Indeed, the whole universe and billions of galaxies was created for this day and what it means for human history. This was a day declared before the foundations of the world.
Galatians 4:4-5
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
It happened on a day, the perfect day, in the fullness of time. The perfect time was appointed by God before the foundation of the world.
2. THE BIRTH OF JESUS HAPPENED AT A REAL PLACE TO BRING PEACE ON THE EARTH
Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
The birth of Jesus happened in our world. It is a town named Bethlehem.
Luke 2:4
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
Bethlehem, the city where Jesse, the father of David lived, the great king of Israel. Bethlehem, the city that Micah prophesied over:
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.”
It happened in a town. A real place, just like Bangalore or Bengaluru.
3. JESUS WAS BORN AS THE SAVIOR, THE MESSIAH, THE LORD TO BRING PEACE ON THE EARTH
AS THE SAVIOR | JESUS FORGIVES SINS
Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
The world needs a Savior. Every person needs a savior. This is what the angel said to Joseph:
Matthew 1:21
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
Man has sinned against God and only God can forgive sins against God. That is why God sent his Son into the world, because he is God. That’s why Jesus said:
Matthew 9:6
I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.
AS THE MESSIAH | CHRIST THE ANOINTED ONE TO BRING PEACE ON THE EARTH
Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Messiah or Christ. Christ is the English for Christos, which is means “the anointed one.” This is the one long-predicted, long-awaited, the one anointed above all others. Jesus is the anointed King. He is the anointed Prophet. Jesus is the final anointed Priest. In him all the promises of God are yes.
2 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
AS THE LORD | THE SOVEREIGN ONE TO BRING PEACE ON THE EARTH
Luke 2:11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Jesus is the Lord. He is the ruler, the sovereign, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father. The Lord of the universe.
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
THE DEFINITION OF CHRISTMAS
The Lord of all came down to the world one day in real history. He came to a real town as a Savior, who takes away our guilt. Jesus came as Christ to fulfill all our hopes. He came as Lord to defeat all our enemies and take the Lordship of his people. The Prince of peace came to give peace on earth.
Remember, when the conception story was announced it was just one angel. However, when the angel had announced this news to the shepherds, suddenly an army of angels appeared in the sky. Evidently, one angel can bring the news, but it does not suffice for one angel to respond to the news that demands an army of angels.
4. TWO GREAT PURPOSES FOR CHRISTMAS | GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND PEACE ON THE EARTH
Luke 2:13-14
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND PEACE ON THE EARTH
Firstly, the coming of this child will be the greatest revelation of the glory of God even among the heights of heaven. Secondly, the coming of this child will bring peace to God’s people.
First and foremost, God is glorified because this child is born. And second, peace on earth. Peace is to spread everywhere this child is received. These are the great purposes for the coming of Jesus. Glory ever ascending from man to God. Peace ever descending from God to man. God getting glory and us getting peace. That is the purpose of the incarnation. If you say I do not want the glory of God, you cannot get peace. God’s purpose is to give you peace by being the most glorious Person in your life.
PEACE ON THE EARTH
Christmas is peace on earth. In a sense the peace is proclaimed to the whole earth, but the real recipient of the peace is the one who give God the glory.
You get a glimpse of this meaning in
Luke 10:5-6
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ (That is peace to all, peace on earth) 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.
God’s peace in Christ is offered to the world. But only a few receive it. How do you get that peace? You welcome the Peacemaker, you receive Jesus. Jesus came to inaugurate that peace among God’s people. Peace comes when Jesus is Glorified in our lives
The New Testament Jesus is called “the God of peace.”
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
Ephesians 2:14
For he himself is our peace….
What this means is that the peace of God or the peace God gives can never be separated from God himself. Glory to God and peace will come together.
5. THREE RELATIONSHIPS OF PEACE ON THE EARTH
There are three relationships in which he wants you to pursue this peace and enjoy this peace. Peace with God. Peace with your own soul. And peace with other people.
A. PEACE WITH GOD
The most basic need we have is to have peace with God. This is the foundation to all our pursuits of peace. If we don’t go here first, all other experiences of peace will be superficial and temporary.
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Justified means that God declares you to be just in his sight by imputing to you the righteousness of Jesus. And he does that by faith alone: “Since we have been justified through faith.” Not by works. Justification is not by tradition. It is not by church membership. Not by piety or by parentage. Justification is by faith alone. When we believe in Jesus as the Savior and the Lord, we are united to him, and his righteousness is counted by God as ours. We are justified by faith.
The result is peace with God. God’s anger at us because of our sin is put away. Our rebellion against him is overcome. God adopts us into his family. And from now on all his dealings with us are for our good. He will never be against us. He is our Father, and our Friend. We have peace. We don’t need to be afraid anymore. This is foundation to all other peace.
B. PEACE WITH OURSELVES
Because we have peace with God, we can begin to grow peace with ourselves. The peace of God will take away our guilt, anxiety, troubles and give us joy.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious (opposite of peace) about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God will guard your peace. Your peace is under attack by the enemy. The picture here is that our hearts and our minds are under assault. Guilt, worries, threats, confusions, uncertainties; they all threaten our peace. And Paul says that God wants to “guard” your hearts and minds. He guards them with his peace. God gives us inexplicable peace, supernatural peace.
When we take our anxieties to him in prayer and trust him, that he will carry them for us.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Do that this Christmas. Take your anxieties to God. Tell him about them. Ask him to help you. To protect you. To restore your peace.
C. PEACE WITH OTHERS
The third relationship where God wants us to enjoy his peace is in our relationships with other people.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Most of us go through painful relationships sometimes with friends and family. Some of the pain can be from years. And some of it is new. Ask God the grace this Christmas to give you peace in your relationships.
We need to strive as much as possible to be at peace with others with the help of God. It starts with us, not others.
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
You take the initiative to get rid of all past bitterness, rage, and anger. Get rid of the brawling and slander with all malice. Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another. May God give you the grace to have peace with others this Christmas.
Be certain that you have peace with God. That peace will give you peace within and peace with others.
CONCLUSION
My great desire for you this Christmas is that you enjoy this peace. We know that there are global aspects to this peace on earth that lie in the future.
Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. There is coming a day in the coming of our Lord where one day the whole earth will be filled with His righteousness and peace.
However, until that time, God still gives his people peace who glorify him now. However, no matter how much the world is without peace now, we can enjoy peace in God even today. How will enjoy joy and peace? In believing, by believing. In other words, the way God’s promises become real for us and produce peace in us and through us is “in believing.”
When we believe God, we have peace with him and peace in us and peace with others.
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