Our Blog

By: Pastor Nathan Berg

We all know the words so well.  Our children share them with us every year.  “In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree…” On they go for twenty verses.  We sit and listen and say the words right along with them. So well we know that familiar Christmas story. But have we lost the meaning behind them? Has the story become too familiar?

The lead story in world news is still pandemic and now inflation. Local news  stories show the horror of the Christmas parade in Waukesha. The month of December is so packed with activity. There is so much to do and it seems so little time. Christmas becomes more than a month of build-up and anticipation so that by the time it arrives, we can’t wait for it to be over. Where has the peace gone?

Christmas peace isn’t found in any store. Christmas peace isn’t obtained when your shopping is complete. Christmas peace isn’t brokered between two warring nations. Christmas peace is peace through Jesus. The angel host proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward mankind.” (Luke 2:14). Peace on earth to those who have God’s goodwill.  What does it mean?  It means that peace on earth is peace between man and God; peace through Jesus.

Jesus’ birth was the beginning of God’s plan to reconcile the world to himself.  Because of sin, mankind and God were bitter enemies. But God changed that relationship by sending Jesus to remove that barrier of sin. God gave Jesus to the whole world. Paul tells us in second Corinthians, “We urge you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

  Because of God’s work of reconciliation through Jesus, we are no longer his   enemies, but we are at peace with him. That’s the promise that the angels were retelling to those shepherds out in their fields. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the authority to rule will rest on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” Isaiah told us (9:6). And that child was born and lived and when he was ready to carry out the final action in God’s reconciliation plan he told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I to give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let it be afraid” (John 14:27). 

  During this upcoming Advent and Christmas season, don’t let your Christmas preparations become chaos.  Instead, quiet your hearts and find the Prince of Peace who made you at peace with God. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.” (Luke 2:10-14).