Peace on Earth

Luke 2
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

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. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

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.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

This is the story of the birth of Jesus. We know it. It is alluded to in some Christmas hymns and songs, so it is impossible to not hear something about it this time of year.

Christmas is an interesting time. We all run around like crazy, busy with work and Christmas shopping. We bake goodies and look at lights on the tree that is so immaculately decorated. We spend time and make memories with loved ones. These are all great things to do. I have always loved Christmas and all that it entails, with the exception of the materialism that goes with it (but that is a whole other blog post). When these things are present we say 'it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.'

Some of us remember the birth of Jesus Christ this time of year. Some choose to go to church because they haven't been in a while, and some choose not to celebrate the birth of Jesus at all. Many people still celebrate Christmas in 'their own way'. They look at Christmas as a time to give to those in need, be with family and/or exchange presents. Even the most grinchy and scroogy person you know seems to celebrate something this time of year. It is almost as if something clicks in our human nature that makes us desire to be with others, spread cheer, hope for peace and give to charity. I believe the saying is "Peace on earth and good will toward men." That sounds familiar. Isn't that what the angels sang when Jesus was born?

Luke 2: 13-14 says, "suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

I was researching the saying, "Peace on earth and good will toward men". I feel like a lot of people tend to summarize the idea of Christmas as everyone getting along for once and showing favor to those who are often ignored, perhaps the poor and needy (i.e peace and goodwill). Do not get me wrong. I believe in charity. We are such fortunate people, even when we do realize it. We may feel shortchanged, but there is usually someone out there who needs more than we do. The Bible teaches us that pure religion is looking after widows and orphans in their distress (James 1:27). Is charity enough? Is there something missing? Can I meet someone's material needs and not tell them about the true meaning of Christmas? I mean, they should get the idea by now, right? How many Christmases in America have they celebrated by now?

In verse 13, the angels begin praising God. God is getting the glory for the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is 'good news', or as we call it, the gospel. Some translations of the Bible say, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests', instead of 'Glory to God in the highest heave, on earth, peace, goodwill toward men.' These look like different verses. The favor and goodwill is not referring to man. It does not mean that when we celebrate the birth of Jesus every year we will have peace and goodwill toward each other. The favor and goodwill belongs to God because He has given us the gift of Immanuel, God with us. He has shown us favor by giving the greatest gift of all. Robert Stein says in his commentary on Luke that this 'peace' refers to the fullness of blessing which the Savior brings. He says it is a synonym for salvation! Jesus was born to reconile God and sinner. That is the amazing news of the gospel and the beautiful message of Christmas! The peace is in our reconciliation with God. Our sins are forgiven and salvation is here!

Yes, it is good to show love, peace and charity to our neighbors. But if we do this without telling them the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, what is the point? All creation should sing Glory to God for such a gift and praise God for His favor!

Hark the Herald Angels Sing is one of my favorite hymns. Listen to the lyrics. It captures the essence of Christmas, the gospel of Christ. I love it! Listen here to the version Keith and Kristyn Getty do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiP6HtIaJ70

Merry Christmas!

A New Leaf

Wow, what a year. It started out with moving, planning a wedding and falling even more in love with my soon to be husband. Then I was diagnosed with mono, and was sick for months, even all the way up until my wedding week. On April 2nd I married the man I love and off to Myrtle Beach we went as husband and wife. We were both tired still from mono (Steven had it too but not as bad as me), so it was a very relaxing trip to the beach. Yet I still had mono on my wedding day and honeymoon! Mono is horrible.

Then it was time for real life.

A couple of months into marriage God answered our prayers to be parents. I found out I was pregnant when Steven was at work and there was a tornado hitting down in Louisville. He almost didn't make it home that night, but thank God he did because being pregnant was not news I could hold in! I was overwhelmed with joy because I have wanted to be a mom for years. It is so surreal and amazing that God gives us the chance to bring life into this world and care for it. Steven was overjoyed too, as his passion for family is one of the reasons I knew I should marry him.

The rest of the summer we were gone almost every weekend visiting, interviewing with and preaching (not me, Steven) at prospective churches. We felt peace about a church job that ended up not as we had planned, but I guess God had other plans. So now we wait for the baby to come. Well I wait, but my husband has to work a lot. We decided that I would stop working so that I could work at home and prepare for the baby. We have to make room for a baby in a one bedroom apartment. My husband is probably the hardest working man I know. He goes above and beyond and works for the Lord. We are still praying for and seeking where God would have us minister.

Life is not at all what we thought it would be a mere 5 months ago when we were on our honeymoon. Things are not always easy, but we press on. It is amazing how we can live a fairly predictable life, going to school and work, eating and sleeping, yet when our lives became one it seems like all predictability went out the window. This is life now. It is our sovereign God's plan for us, no matter how hard that is to understand at times.

I love the lyrics in this Bebo Norman song. We may fall apart but our Lord saves us from our sin and gives us new life. Underneath every trial and every joy there is a purpose and it's worth it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlR3Xoegq2I

So now I want to try to blog a little more. I want to share some things about our family and little tidbits about my pregnancy and sweet baby. I am 16 weeks pregnant and we find out the gender of the baby in a month! I can't wait. I am hoping for a boy, and I'm pretty convinced it is a boy. We shall see what God has planned.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:14