And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.So what does the peace that the angels are singing about, what does this peace look like? Is it like a Christmas Card?
On the Christmas cards that I get, it all looks pretty nice, stars unfurled in the balmy night sky, angels soaring and proclaiming the glad tidings. We can be easily misled into thinking that God’s peace comes when all is right with the world, children are well fed, workers earn a fair wage, all war has ceased, when all is well, then the angels will unfurl their wings and take to the heavens and our hearts will soar as we resonate with the good news that God’s peace has come….
But when I read the gospels, the peace that Jesus brings has a different tone. Yes, it resonates with my core, yes, it clearly comes from God, but it is so contrary to convention and expectation that it is difficult to recognize it.
To the woman who had been working in the sex industry, who scandalized the host of a fancy dinner party when she came in and kissed Jesus’ feet and poured out perfume on him while the grilled salmon was served – to her Jesus said “your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you, go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)
To the woman who had been cast out for 12 years because her bleeding made her ritually unclean, when she joined the crowd and dared to reach out for Jesus’ coat. The instant her fingers touched the hem – she felt the bleeding stop, Jesus felt the power go out from him. He called her out from the crowd and assured “daughter, your faith has healed you, Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)
To the disciples who had fled into hiding, huddled in grief, bewildered by Jesus’ arrest, terrified by his brutal death on the cross, Jesus came and stood among them and said “feel my wounds, - peace be with you” (Luke 24:36)
That’s how peace comes in the Gospels. It comes in the middle of difficulty. It comes in the middle of excruciating hope and longing, it comes when things are as far from being perfect as we can imagine. Thank God.
Thank God that we don’t have to wait for perfection for God’s peace to break into our world.
So tonight, in the glow of the candles, As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, As we carry our hope for his speedy return, let us seek out the peace that the Gospel describes.
Let us join the angels in their joyful chorus and sing the good news in the most unlikely of places:
sing to the woman whose pastor refused to bury her life partner;
sing to the day laborer waiting in the rain for work;
sing to the mother holding her feverish child in the ER;
let us find ways to sing the good news with the whole of our lives—what we say, what we do, where we spend our money—let the angels song fill our hearts:
“Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth”
