Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! – Luke 2:14 (NKJV)
As the joyous season of Christmas approaches, the world echoes with the familiar greetings of “peace and goodwill.” Yet, amidst the festive cheer, we cannot ignore the harsh realities – wars raging in distant lands, innocent lives lost to senseless violence, and the cries of those suffering in the depths of despair.
The incongruity between the season’s proclaimed peace and the world’s persistent conflicts often leaves us questioning the very meaning of these heartfelt wishes.
True Peace
Is human hate so strong that true peace is impossible?
True peace is not merely the absence of conflict or danger, but a state of inner well-being and harmony, even in the face of challenging circumstances. This inner peace is not achieved through external means alone, but through a transformation of the heart and mind. This is the peace referred to in Philippians 4:7, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
TLSB says: “When life makes no sense, God’s peace sustains and directs us. peace of God … will guard. Peace, not readiness or zeal, acts like a guardian angel for our mental health. This peace resides in Jesus, our refuge.”
The pursuit of peace requires us to confront the problem of sin and cultivate a mindset that embraces compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. As Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
A Christmas Carol
The song was originally written as a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1863 during the American Civil War, a time of great suffering and division. Longfellow himself had experienced personal tragedy in the years leading up to the war, including the death of his wife and two of his children.
The carol begins with Longfellow hearing the bells of Christmas ringing, and the familiar melody carries a message of peace and goodwill. But Longfellow is also aware of the harsh realities of the world around him, and he expresses his doubts and despair in the second verse:
“And in despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said, For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
This melancholic verse echoes the doubts and fears that grip our hearts when we witness the relentless conflicts and suffering that continue to mar our world. How can we reconcile the ideals of peace and goodwill with the harsh realities that surround us?
From the melancholic verse, the carol takes a turn as the bells peal with renewed vigour, their melody carrying a message of hope and determination:
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men.'”
Longfellow realizes that despite the darkness, there is still light, and that good will ultimately prevail. He reminds us that even in the darkest of times, hope endures. God’s love and presence are unwavering, and the promise of peace and goodwill remains steadfast.
Despite his own personal pain and the suffering he sees around him, Longfellow is able to find hope and inspiration in the Christmas story.
Apostle Paul
The apostle Paul was a man who struggled with sin and doubt. He knew what it was like to feel trapped in a cycle of wrongdoing and despair. Yet, he found hope and peace in Jesus Christ. In Romans 7:24, he cries out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?“ But then, in Romans 7:25, he proclaims, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.“
According to Paul, peace comes when we surrender to God’s grace and allow Jesus Christ to take control of our lives. We must confess our sins and turn away from our old ways. Only then can we experience the true peace that comes from knowing that we are forgiven and loved by God.
Christmas Peace and Assurance
Just as Longfellow and Paul found peace in Jesus Christ when surrounded by external storms, so too can all people find true and lasting peace in Him.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
The Messiah would “give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79)
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