I have heard “Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men,” all of my life. It was just a saying associated with Christmas and I was taught it from the bible every year in December. But, it has had a profound meaning to mankind from the time it was declared to the shepherds by the angel and a multitude of hosts from heaven. As a matter of fact it changed the course of every human being from that day forward.
It is significant that God revealed the birth of His son, the Messiah, first to shepherds. This would have been shocking to the Hebrews of that day. Shepherds were ceremonially unclean because they could not adhere to all of the washings and procedures that the law demanded. They were living out in the pastures with the sheep night and day. They were a mirror image of the spiritual condition of all of us.
We were all outcast and sinners that Jesus has come to redeem. We can’t cleanse ourselves, it took his blood on Calvary to do that. People who think they are good can’t understand Jesus. They are like someone who thinks they are healthy but truly need a doctor because they are sick inside. People who know they are not good are ready to understand Jesus. They are like those who know that they are sick and know that they need a doctor to get well.
The prophecy of Isaiah about the coming of Jesus in Isaiah 40:11; “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”
Jesus said of himself in John 10:11; “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
The baby born in a manger became our good shepherd. He is our Savior, Messiah, and Lord. Through His coming to earth as a baby and walking through the same journey of life that we do, He provided what we need to live our lives in victory and blessing.
“Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men,” is a whole lot more than a saying for the Christmas season. It is the reality of what was made possible to all of us from the day the son of God broke into the history of mankind over 2,000 years ago.
We are celebrating this Christmas season at the Gathering Place Sunday morning at 9:30 and 10:30 with our Family Christmas. Come and join in.
