Day 16: Read Luke 2:13-14
Shepherds Hear About Jesus
Luke 2:13-14 states, "Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying: "Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.'"
I believe this passage reveals how God desires us to celebrate the birth of His son and that this should be a model of how we celebrate Christmas. The Angels tell the shepherds two things: first, give glory to God in heaven and second, be at peace with the people who please God. Christmas is the symbol of Jesus's birth and should be a time of celebration. It is through Jesus that our fate is sealed and so Christmas should be full of giving glory to God. Second, Jesus lived His life at peace and this is how God desires we live our lives. Yes, Jesus had enemies, but His philosophy was to turn the other cheek if one of them struck Him. Beyond our enemies we are to love one another and be at peace with our brother. Scripture states that a man who loves God, but hates his brother is a liar because if he can't love his brother, who he has seen, then he can't love God, who he hasn't seen.
Peace is not easy to achieve or to keep in any relationship because God has made each of us unique, with our own opinions, but peace is what God expects in us. This Christmas let us honor God by praising Him and finding peace in our relationships. In doing this we will fulfill what the angels told the shepherds to do after telling them of Jesus's birth.
No comments:
Post a Comment