On the night of the Savior's birth angel voices proclaimed "peace on earth good will toward men." In the anniversary of that great event, the holiday season of goodwill just passed, how little of "peace" is experienced! Everywhere there is war, or rumors of war; and men's hearts fail them for fear of those things which they see coming upon the earth. Can the angel message of "Peace on earth, good will toward men" be impossible of fulfillment?
We must remember one outstanding fact: when the Babe was born in Bethlehem of Judea, although the heavenly host proclaimed Him as "the Savior, which is Christ the Lord," there was found "no room" at His birth, and when He grew to manhood He was still not wanted. He Himself said: "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." Matt. 8:2020And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20). This was foretold by Isaiah in his prophecy concerning Him: "He was despised and rejected of men." In His life on earth He was hated, vilified and crucified. The world still says in effect, "We will not have this Man to reign over us.”
Peace on earth? Instead, bloodshed, misery, and poverty abound. Degradation and crime are increasing; and man, like "the fool" of Proverbs would say, "No God"! The creature into whose nostrils a loving God breathed the breath of life has, almost from the very beginning, flouted Him, his Creator. He was created to be upright and to glorify God, but almost immediately he disobeyed Him and sinned.
God is holy, and His holiness demands that He must punish sin. But "God is love" and that love desires to bless His creature, man. Because of this great and blessed fact the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly God, came from His Father's bosom down to Bethlehem that He might be the Savior of sinful men and women. He died on Calvary's cross that He might bear the punishment that was due to our sins. Scripture says, "Christ died for our sins." 1 Cor. 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3). He died, "the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18).
This is a troubled world, a world that knows no peace. As a dear, godly man has said, "On earth there's a kingless throne and in heaven a throneless King. Until that throneless King is on that kingless throne, there can be no peace on earth.”
But every child of Adam can have real peace, peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Each one can face the New Year without dread or fear. How? Confess to God your unrighteous, sinful condition. Repent of your rebellion towards Him and your many sins, and believe that Christ died to cleanse you from all sin.
That is God's way to peace and happiness throughout the years.