Can you imagine the shepherds in the fields—a quiet night with their flocks at rest. It sounds pretty peaceful! But actually, in their world, they lived under the heel of Rome with soldiers everywhere, and wicked ruling governors like Herod. Not all was calm for the people living under such conditions.
When angels came to announce "peace on earth, goodwill to men," the world peace spoken into their turbulent world reached deeply. A Prince of Peace arriving in a stable in Bethlehem? What did it mean?
There are two levels of peace: peace in my personal world and in the world at large.
Truly the scene in Israel at the time of Jesus' birth was very similar to our world situation today—disasters, wars, homeless refugees, political disunity and so much more. Because of the Prince of Peace being born to us, we can have a peace that is independent of the world's circumstances.
We can have hopes for peace in our world, but we can have total assurance of peace in our hearts.
He came and promised that opening our hearts to Him would assure us of everlasting peace, the kind of peace that passes understanding, endures through hardship, settles our unrest and dispels any and all fear. This peace is an incredible, life-changing peace!
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Luke 2:14
Dear Jesus, as we serve this Christmas season in our places of ministry, we open our hearts to You, the Prince of Peace. May our countenance reflect Your peace, our handshakes and greetings convey Your love, and the warmth of our serving bring joy to everyone we touch.
Dawn
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