Scripture Reference: Luke 1:67-69, 78-79

Showing the Way to Peace – Continued

Christmas should have special meaning, especially for our generation. Peace should be our overriding concern, but we seem so helpless to achieve it. We can take hope, however, when we remember that Jesus came to bring us peace.

Christ gives us peace in three dimensions—peace with God, peace with our brothers and sisters, and peace within our own life.

Mankind is in rebellion against God who is the primary source of our existence. We had been separated from God and have cut ourselves off from the main source of life. Christ has come to reconcile us with God.

Mankind is set against his fellow who is the secondary spring of his life. Christ has come to reconcile him with one another.

Man is at war within himself. A battle is being fought in each and every life. We understand what Paul meant when he wrote: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15). Christ has come to bring inner harmony and peace.

Jesus left His disciples a legacy of peace: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The Christ of the Andes is an impressive symbol of the Christ of peace. Once Chile and Argentina were enemies and fought. They decided at last that it was in the interest of both to live in peace. So, high upon their natural boundaries, the Andes Mountains, they built a great statue of Christ with this inscription: “Sooner shall these mountains crumble into dust when the Argentines and Chileans break the peace sworn at the feet of Christ the Redeemer.”

Christ calls us to be peacemakers. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Reconciliation and peacemaking should be our primary task.

We seem to be overwhelmed by the problems of peace in our time. However, this should not discourage us. We should be about our essential task right where we are. We can keep open communication, reach across barriers, give dignity and respect to every person, and show the love and acceptance of Christ. The little done by the many adds up, and when peace seems elusive and faraway we should remember that “the Dayspring from on high has visited us” in the darkness of our night to guide our feet in the way of peace. Nothing can ever put out that light, and it will shine until we come upon the perfect day in Christ Jesus!

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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