The night the Savior was born, angels sang in the heavens, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14)

Peace! – Now think about that. Of all the words the angels could have said to tell us what the birth of a Savior would mean, they said ‘peace!’ The Lord Jesus – He is peace! Christmas is peace! Now if you wouldn’t mind, may I tell you a story from another land a long time ago?

The nation was torn apart. Contention and hate filled the land. On one hand, there were those, few in number, who believed in the eminent coming of Jesus Christ – His birth to this earth. On the other hand, there were those, by far the majority, who refused to believe in the words of the prophets, and would not accept the coming of Christ. Every sign and miracle that was manifest was explained away by the unbelievers, either as a coincidence, or a lucky guess. Religion came to be seen in the land as a wicked and seditious tradition. The persecution which began as simple annoyed gossip soon grew into deadly threatenings and violence.

Suddenly, there arose a group of the non-believers who declared that the time was past for the Messiah to be born. Their words raged throughout the land like a summer forest fire causing a tremendous uproar. People caught hold of them; joined in. While the people of God held firm in the faith, the wicked plotted their death. A date was set apart and plans were made to execute the people of God for their belief in the coming of Christ.

Finally, it came to climax. The next day those who had believed in the ancient traditions of the coming of Christ were to be murdered by their own countrymen. While the wicked prepared to murder, the righteous prayed mightily all that day.

Then – miracle of miracles: That night as the sun went down below the horizon, it didn’t get dark. To the utter astonishment of all the people, the land remained as light as though it was [were] mid-day. A new and glorious star arose in the heavens. The people recognized it as the long promised sign of the birth of Christ.

While the faithful rejoiced in their deliverance, the unbelievers fell to the earth in utter astonishment. Fear and the spirit of repentance came upon them.

The next morning as the sun arose, the light of faith arose with it. And this is interesting: All thoughts of murder and contention were swept away by the spirit that filled the hearts of the people. Peace and good will reigned throughout the land.

The day – the day was Christmas. That day on the other side of the world, He who would be called the Prince of Peace was born of Mary and laid in a manger. It intrigues me that even in His birth, He who would someday be Savior of us all even as a tiny babe saved His people.

My dear friends, of all things, Christmas is peace! Christ is peace! Now as then, all who will let the daystar arise in their hearts will know for themselves of assurity the blessing invoked by the angels that first night, “Peace on Earth, good will toward men.”

Merry Christmas.