Peace on earth

In Australia, where I live, I’m reminded of the approach of Xmas everywhere - shopfronts, street decorations, even houses display the traditional decorations.

The usual written signage is variations on “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”  Every so often though, these other words are used: “Peace on earth and goodwill to men.”

You may not realise it but these words come from God’s bible:

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

A couple of things stand out to me comparing these words to our reality. The first is the usual absence of the “Glory to God” part. It seems, at least in Australia, that Xmas is for most people, a secular celebration of family get together and gift giving. In itself that’s good but the lack of an acknowledgment of God is interesting to reflect on. 

The second is the evident failure of the ‘peace’ and ‘goodwill’ parts. When Jesus was born his country was occupied by a hated foreign force. In his time there was only relative peace and goodwill and a great deal of the total opposite, especially relating to him.

And it has been the same from his time to ours. Look at our world. Peace? Goodwill? How many wars are being fought as you read this? And how many people are sick, homeless or otherwise suffering? The answer is self-evident!

So, were the words in the bible simply, a lovely thought, an ideal that would never be a reality? Or were they, like so much else in the bible, a statement of God’s intent, a prediction of the future?

I think the latter is very much the case. I believe there will indeed be glory to God and peace on earth and goodwill to humankind. It is coming and you can read about it and much more in God’s bible.

Please note: Our blog will close for a few weeks and resume, God willing, on January 12 next year. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.