One can imagine the vigilance of the shepherds that first Christmas evening. Tucked away in Judean hills, these men were just doing their job—protecting the flock from nocturnal predators. No doubt they remained on high alert; things that go bump in the night can rattle even experienced outdoorsmen. And these shepherds weren’t rookies; they knew well the carnivores lurking in the shadows.
Standing guard, their heightened intensity was aided by eyesight well adjusted to the darkness. Then, immediately and unexpectedly, blinding light pierced the night sky in what Luke 2:9 says was “the glory of the Lord.” Isaiah 6 describes that same terrible majesty; here it had the same effect—the shepherds fell immediately prostrate in overwhelming fear.
I’ve read accounts from our World War II veterans who witnessed the explosive awe of massive aerial bombardment; these brave soldiers cowered for fear at man’s destructive capability. Now try to imagine the infinitely awesome glory of the Lord of all Creation by comparison. It’s no wonder the shepherds buried their faces into the dust—sinful men cannot countenance even a small measure of God’s burning holiness (Heb. 12:29).
Piercing brightness. Cowering shepherds. The stage is set for something even more awe-inspiring. But what comes next seems to contradict the moment: “Fear not,” the angel proclaimed, “for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people” (Luke 2:10). A Savior was born in the city of David.
Don’t be afraid. I bring joyously good news. A baby is here.
I can imagine the shepherds at this point, having recovered their wits a little, thinking, “Wait … Say what? We’re terrified and, yet, you say this is good news? We don’t feel very joyful right now? And what does a newborn have anything to do with it?”
Well, after the first angel knocked the shepherds to the ground with his blinding light, then delivered his triumphant proclamation—Whoosh—thousands more appeared! If one was terrible in its magnificence, try to imagine a multitude emerging from the darkness as they thunder a response to the first angel’s announcement, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14).
These angelic words tell us all we need to know. Who is Jesus? He’s the Savior. What did He come to do? He came to make peace. And why? For God’s eternal glory.
The shepherds were asking those very same questions; that’s why they hastened to see the baby that Mary had delivered. And they’re the very same questions we ought to be asking ourselves.
I fear that most Christians miss that angelic message of peace. And it’s a shame, because God’s peace is the most soul-satisfying, utterly transformative message we can receive. But, we get caught up in the rush of the holiday season: the travel plans, the shopping lists, the feelings of those for whom we’re purchasing those gifts, the grocery list for the forthcoming Christmas feast, the perfectly ironic white-elephant gift, and the list goes on and on. It’s possible to remind people “Jesus is the reason for the season” and never allow that simple word “peace” to satisfy our souls.
Perhaps we tend to limit the message of God’s peace to evangelism, rather than allowing peace to define our every-day walk with God. Our Christ-enabled position of peace is the very motivation for saying “yes” to righteousness and “no” to sin. When we reckon that God has thoroughly and eternally secured our peace by the Prince of Peace, it fuels character, defines suffering, and kick-starts worship.
Five concepts are vital to understanding that angelic proclamation of peace.
First, the angel was not referring to harmony as in international friendliness. In fact, Jesus himself said that He did not come to bring harmony among nations, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth” (Matt. 10:34). That begs the question, what kind of peace did Jesus bring?
Second, peace, biblically speaking, presupposes enmity. Mankind is hostile to God (Colossians 1:21) because we are born into a state of persistent rebellion against God (Romans 5:12-14), and, as a result, we are, by nature, children of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:13). Jesus would explain it this way, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).
Some will say, “That’s not what I know of a loving God?!” Yes, they’re correct that God is love (1 John 4:16), but that notion of God’s love is misplaced. God’s love is demonstrated in the way that He made peace. God poured out the wrath destined for you and for me upon the one Person who didn’t deserve it: His Son, Jesus, the Savior, the Prince of Peace (Romans 5:8).
Third, God’s eternal wrath demands an eternal sacrifice, which can be supplied only by the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:20). No less a sacrifice will do. Any other offering for sin—whether it be a life well-lived, hours spent in prayer, tithes duly paid—falls so hilariously short of God’s eternal requirement for righteousness that they may as well not be offered lest they insult the King of Glory (Isaiah 1:11-18). We have peace with God because Jesus Christ secured it fully and finally at the cross. Don’t let your flesh tell you otherwise; believing that your effort in any way dispels God’s wrath leads to that deadly cycle of pride, fall, and despondence. We have peace because of God’s good grace and remain under peace because of God’s good grace.
Fourth, this good news “will be for all people.” Anybody, in other words, can make this good news their own! Everyone can have this peace that results in overflowing joy by placing their faith and trust in Jesus Christ (Gal. 2:16).
Fifth, this good news of peace results in “great joy,” ie, worship. The angelic proclamation tells the whole story: I bring you good news of great joy. Rather than living under the judgment of God’s righteous wrath, “there is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:11).
What might this look like the Sunday morning before Christmas? I can imagine singing so thunderous that the music leader has to remind everyone they’re signing Silent Night. I can see eager, unrestrained, and spontaneous prayer throughout your day (Heb. 4:16). And I can promise a transformed walk with God as you rest securely in His peace; there is now therefore no more condemnation for you (Romans 5:1).
