Is the Christmas message really relevant? How can we truly believe the angels who made this declaration upon the birth of Jesus with all of the turmoil that we saw this past year?
Continued terrorism, violence and beheadings.
Demonstrations and violence over police actions and racial strife.
Sluggish economic conditions and unemployment.
The struggle for fairness and equity.
Immigration rights and yielding to the law and authority.
I’m sure you can come up with many more. This year has been a poster child for the struggle of life. The struggle to provide for our families. The struggle for justice and fairness. The struggle to be heard. So why don’t we have the peace that the Christmas story seems to promise?
The reality is that the Christmas promises are personal. The peace that Jesus offers is for you. If Jesus was truly looking to fix things here on earth he certainly would have freed Israel from Rome’s brutality. He would have ended the inequities of the rich and poor. He would have taken away hunger and disease.
What Jesus offers is simply love. See, love is more powerful than all of these things. Love will cure all problems.
Jesus knew the struggle first hand. That’s why he had to live amongst us. So we would know that he knows the struggle first hand. Jesus did not promise to take evil away from the world. At least not until the final victory.
So how does the promise of Christmas provide me with peace?
I don’t need to worry about fairness. I know that the Lord will take care of me. The fixation on fairness and equity can be disguised pride. That making things equal fixes things. I know that things will not be completely fair this side of heaven. I will be taken advantage of. I am OK with this. He will take care of me.
I don’t need to worry about provision. I know that the Lord will provide for me. He always does. I have been continually blessed. He will take care of me and my family.
I don’t need to worry about controlling everything. I know that the Lord is in control and he will take care of things. I can take my hands off the wheel and let him steer.
I know that he loves me and love drives out fear and worry. So how do I know this? I have seen with my own eyes the power of this love first hand.
I have witnessed changes in my life and others.
I have watched connections made and provisions that cannot be explained.
I have watched his peace invade lives, change hearts and restore what is broken.
I have witnessed his power, his truth and his promises.
The promise of peace this Christmas season is your peace. Are you at peace ? Can you relax knowing that he’s going to take care of you? Do you know that he loves you and wants the very best for you? If you struggle- his offer stands. Just reach out to him. He’s waiting for you!
Leading by Serving 
4 responses to “Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Men- Really?”
Nice Joe – thanks for sharing. I find there is always a lesson in each thing that happens – to inspire us to be more giving, more living and more caring. We seem to need the reminder – and I think it comes in some of today’s tough world events. But we can use the message of Christmas to reconnect what is best in us and bring that “best” to those in our world. This is how we transform things….Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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Yes Jay! Tough times help to orient me too! Great observation. And I am also a believer that the Christmas message is a message of hope and promise for everyone. Thanks for your insights! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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Merry Christmas Joe!!! Thanks once again for some awesome thoughts as we go about the holiday season. The only thing that has got me through so many tough times is that I know as I breath that God will take care of me. I have seen his hand touch my live too many times to not believe he will take care of me. Because I know this I try pay it forward when ever I can. I know I can put my last $10 in a donation can and not worry about how much gas I have in my car. He always makes it work. There is such a freedom in your life when you are taken care of. This kind of freedom gives you many opportunities to be used by God in many ways. Too many to list here. But hey could be a great idea for a article from you. When you know God is with you and taking care of you, it gives us the freedom to stretch ourselves to new levels and to not worry and concentrate so much time on the petty issues in life. I know you get where I am going with that. Anyways thanks again for the great article and hope the family is doing outstanding!!! HUGZZZZZ
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Thanks Kris for your thoughts and support! Such a relief knowing the Lord and knowing that he will take care of me and my family! Yes- There is freedom in life when you believe. When you don’t have faith you rely on luck. I don’t believe in luck anymore. Thanks again for your insights. Happy Holidays!
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