HIS KINGDOM OF PEACE REIGNING OVER US by JOHN BELT

Luke 2:11-14
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you:You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Peace on earth and goodwill toward men… That is the message that the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus. This message is still true today as God extends His love to all mankind. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton Son that through Him the world might be saved. (John 3:16) And we know that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but that through Him all may be saved. Peace is central to the message as Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Without Him there is no peace. Jesus differentiates His eternal peace from the temporal peace that the world gives. It goes back to the senario where man is trying to fill the emptiness of His soul with things, worldliness, busyness and other distractions. Meanwhile Jesus says, “Come to me all you who labor, worry and fear and find rest for your souls.”

Jesus is the Source of ultimate peace and satisfaction that flows like a river through the heart of man. I’m thankful that Jesus does not give us a half-fix, but makes us completely whole where we do not lack a thing. Our contentment is from knowing Him Who is above all things, ruling in righteousness with grace and wisdom. He is the hope for all men. All who seek Him with the whole heart find Him. If we ask for bread He will not give us a stone. He is thoroughly good in every way. It is “goodwill” toward all mankind. God is good. And that same goodness draws us to Him, turing our hearts His direction. This Christmas let the peace of Christ reign in your heart with all goodness and fullness of His Spirit.