by Barbara Latta
Each Christmas season we see plays and read stories depicting
the Nativity scene with angels descending and proclaiming, “glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). These words are quoted often,
printed on cards, and sung in songs; yet the world is at war, kids are shooting
each other, financial disasters abound, and terrorism threatens us all. Where
is peace?
It wasn’t peace on earth the angels sang about, but peace
between God and mankind. Even Jesus Himself said he did not come to bring peace,
but a sword (Matthew 10:34). Trusting Him would require a person to commit to
God’s ways and separate themselves from the wrong they had done. Friends and
family familiar with the old ways wouldn’t like the change. Division would
occur.
The world’s turmoil is caused by strife between groups of
people. Because humans have no peace in their hearts, fighting and anger grow
creating havoc and war. Selfishness rules with pain and heartache becoming the
result.
Peace is not the absence of conflict in the world, but the
absence of conflict in your heart. It is the Christmas gift God gave to all of
us over 2,000 years ago. No matter what is going on around us, we can have a
peaceful soul if we let this gift be ours. Peace never wears out, doesn’t need
batteries, doesn’t need to be returned, and can be used in every season.
Before Jesus left the earth He said, “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 NKJV).
Peace is a never ending gift. Are you a willing recipient?
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