The great Christmas passion of the angels that night outside of Bethlehem was this: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Luke 2:14). They rejoiced over two wonders: the glory of God, and peace on earth.
But as soon as we hear their song, questions arise: 1) Are we actually moved to applaud God’s glory? 2) Can we even imagine “peace” in our war-torn, terror-ridden, greed-driven, divided world, and do we really believe God for the peace he announces?
One way to prime the pump of your heart for Advent praise is by reflecting on the “distance” God’s Son came to save us—to save you. So consider: the eternal Son “emptied himself” of all his splendor and majesty, was born into human form, and obeyed the Father’s eternal decree to bear sinners’ guilt by his death on a cross (Phil 2:6-8). Contemplate that undeserved degradation … all to rescue us from wrath we did deserve! Go ahead and measure Jesus’ descent—and bow down: “Glory to God in the highest!”
And when it comes to the announcement of peace, let’s make sure we know what kind of peace God promises. Here’s what it isn’t: it’s not the eradication of violence in our cities or between warring tribes; it’s not a utopia of worldwide, inter-ethnic, good will. Jesus says: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). “In this world you will have tribulation” (16:33).
The “peace” God brings, ultimately, is vertical: at the cross Jesus became our peace and made peace for us so we could be reconciled to God (Eph 2:14-16)! “Since we’ve been justified by faith, we have peace with God” (Rom 5:1). With God. Yes, it’s vital to express our love for God by serving neighbors, and in so doing to strive for peaceful relations in the human community. But always remember: every taste of earthly peace is actually only a foretaste of the real thing, the eternal peace with God by which we become his forever friends!
