Every year at Christmas we look at the world situation and wonder if the angels knew what they were proclaiming when they said "Peace on earth, goodwill among men." We are not sure exactly what the angels did say as it is interpreted in many ways. The NIV version says, "Peace to those on whom his favor rests." That sounds Calvinistic, but in the name of goodwill, today we will let that pass.
Since that is so, and because I am not a scholar, but an ordinary person reading the scriptures, I choose to read this meaning into those old familiar verses: The angels came to earth announcing the birth of a savior who is Christ the Lord. In proclaiming his birth, they were saying that God is Peace and has come willingly to the earth to be among men, and that he brings with him goodwill (that is to say, he does not bring harm to them.)
We usually take those scriptures to mean that there would be no more wars and strife and all would be joy now that Christ was born. The angels did not say that all would be rosy now. They called him Peace, and because of the great joy they have with the Father, they knew Who was arriving and they expected us to have the same great joy (Luke 2:10-11).
I think the angels may have given us more credit than we are due.
2023 is drawing to a close. But as we celebrate Advent again this year, we see a new beginning, a new year to get it right. A new year for peace in the church where both men and women are equal children of God.
(originally published 2016)
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