The Waiting

Today is the first Sunday of Advent 2015, the beginning of the season where Christians of all sects commemorate the first coming of Jesus Christ and wait in anticipation for His second coming. Though His earthly birth took place in less than ideal conditions, it was announced with great fanfare. According to the King James Bible, the angel Gabriel said to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). At first glance, this is a noble statement. Every year at Christmas we talk about extending good will toward others and we get all warm and fuzzy by wishing each other well. And that's ok. That said, the angel's announcement about "peace on Earth and good will toward men" for many is little more than a religious-sounding "Merry Christmas". There is actually more to it.

The New International Version of the Bible translates this verse in Luke 2 as, "Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on Earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." The New Living Translation: "Glory to God in highest Heaven, and peace on Earth to those with whom God is pleased." When you look at these two versions it begs the questions, "Do you mean there are those with whom God is not pleased and that His peace is not for them?" Well, yes.

Let's go ahead thirty-some years when Jesus, now an adult, said this, "Do you think that I came to grant peace on Earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household there will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law" (Luke 12:51-53). All mother-in-law jokes aside, the words of Jesus Himself appear to contradict the purpose of His birth as told by the angel Gabriel.

But there is no contradiction. We people have just misinterpreted the angel's words. The peace he was talking about wasn't a universal world peace. If he meant that then the purpose of Christ's mission was an epic failure. This world doesn't know lasting peace. According to one study, in the last 3,500 years the world has known just 230 years without war. And that's just the "civilized" world. When you factor in remote tribes and other people groups, the number is likely far lower than 230. If God's common grace wasn't shown all people, we would've self-destructed long ago.

The peace spoken of here is the inner peace of a clear conscience in a life reconciled to God through a genuine belief in Christ. Therein lies our hope. God's peace and good will is for those "with whom He is pleased", in other words, those who, by His saving grace, believe in Christ and have had their sins forgiven. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful" (John 14:27). Notice that He said, "my peace" and not the world's peace. That's important. Note something else Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29). God's will for people is that they believe in and follow Jesus. Obviously, not everyone wants to do this and those who do (and receive God's favor) will be antagonized by those who choose not to follow Him. People on both sides of the issue will be of the same household, of the same family, the same workplace and on and on it goes. Such is life.

Today, we light the candle of hope on the Advent wreath. Instead of debating over the right to say "Merry Christmas" publicly or the color and design of Starbucks Christmas cups, let's let others see the Christ-life in us, the life of true peace available to all who will have it.