21 Nov December 20th Daily Devotion

 GOD PROMISED A SAVIOR

A PROMISE MADE – JESUS GIVES YOU PEACE

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”

When Jesus was born an angel announced His birth to shepherds tending their sheep outside of the village of Bethlehem.  You know well the song of the angels that sang to the Glory of God and in celebration of Christ’s birth, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”

The peace announced by the angels in their anthem to God is the peace prophesied by Isaiah, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

According to the Bible, peace is described as:

• The harmony and calmness of body, mind, and spirit that transcends earthly circumstances.
• A state of wholeness in one’s relationship with God and others.
• The Hebrew word “shalom,” which signifies reconciliation between humanity and all of God’s creation.
• Cessation of hostilities, absence of disorder, and freedom from dissension.

This is the peace promised by Yahweh through the pen of Isaiah in Isaiah 53.  This is the peace of which the angels sang.  This is the peace Jesus speaks of in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  This is the peace you have with God because of the faith He has gifted you in His Son Christ Jesus.  You are reconciled with God through the coming of Jesus to earth, His keeping God’s law perfectly, suffering and dying on the cross and His glorious resurrection on Easter morning.

This is the peace you celebrate again this Christmas season.  Jesus,  born in Bethlehem’s stable, came to earn and win this peace for you and all people.  This is the peace of which He spoke as recorded in John 14.

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus, for being my peace with my heavenly Father.  Amen.

It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold; “Peace on the earth, good will to all,

From heav’n’s all gracious king.”

The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heav’nly music floats O’er all the weary world. “Above its sad and lowly plains

They bend on hov’ring wing. And ever o’er its babel sounds

The blessed angels sing.

All you, beneath your heavy load, By care and guilt bent low,

Who toil along a dreary way With painful steps and slow;

Look up, for golden is the hour, Come swiftly on the wing,

The Prince was born to bring you peace; Of Him the angels sing.

For lo, the days have come to pass By prophets seen of old,

When down into the circling years Came Christ as was foretold.  His word of peace shall to the earth God’s ancient promise bring, And all who take this gift will hear The song the angels sing.

(LSB 366)