Peter Bilhorn (1887) wrote, “Through Christ on the cross peace was made, my debt by His death was all paid; no other foundation is laid for peace, the gift of God’s love. Peace, peace, sweet peace! Wonderful gift from above! O wonderful, wonderful peace! Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love!”
Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.”
Peace – nations seek it, neighbors hope for it, families work hard to keep it. Peace is in high demand all around us. The simple truth is that Christ brought it with Him when He came as that cuddly little baby so long ago. The peace He brought was complete and freely given. It was the only remedy for a sin-sick world that had gone its own way – away from God. Since the Garden of Eden tragedy with the First Adam, humanity has been relationally separated from God. There was no way back to the perfect life before Adam and Eve’s rebellion. Sacrificial lambs became the temporary fix for the problem of that broken relationship between God and man. The rituals were messy and had to be done over and over again to atone for man’s sins against a holy God.
When God sent His Son to us, He knew He would be the perfect, sinless substitute for our pitiful, multiple, law-fulfilling sacrifices. Jesus was “tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Only He had the power and ability to live a perfect life amid the temptations and hardships of a dying world and be the ultimate sacrifice for our wrongs. And He came willingly! He, out of His great love for us, came and brought us peace with the Father!
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
That baby we are celebrating today is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). He has come to bring peace into our personal lives by reuniting us with God the Father, who loves us so well. He has come to bring peace to relationships by offering us another way to live. He has come to bring peace to nations who seek to honor God. “Sweet Peace, the gift of God’s love!”
“Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth; born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Anne McDaniel (a. k.a. Leah) is married to Patrick and has 4 grown children: Meredith, Shelley, Allison, and Christian. A graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary with a degree in marriage and family therapy, she has worked in ministry in Florida, Utah, and California. Since moving back to the Atlanta area, she has managed her home and a DMV office – if that doesn’t prepare you for life, nothing will! Anne is convinced that God’s word is the be-all and end-all of her existence and is eager to see others fall in love with the Bible and the God who gave it to us. Sipping tea in the mornings, watching the birds at the feeders, and experiencing life vicariously through her children are favorite pastimes. You can find more of her writings on a variety of subjects on a Facebook page called, Well, if you ask Me.