Where can “peace and goodwill” be found? It’s not merely a
biblical cliché or a line in a Christmas tune anymore. Fictitiously, when the
Grinch stole Christmas, the people still celebrated because “Christmas was in
their hearts” not under the tree. That’s easy for them to say. They only had
their presents and Christmas trees taken from them, not their children. Such
heartwarming fiction dissipates when you have your children taken from you. Americans
are desperately searching for peace. Even outspoken conservative pundits who
typically rush to the microphone with solutions to America’s problems have
admitted that they don’t have all the answers. Is it too late to find peace and
goodwill? The nation with the strongest military in the world finds itself brought
to its knees by inner struggles rather than foreign attacks.
A multitude of angels announced that peace and goodwill from
God had been sent. So where do we find it? Peace cannot be found in politics.
Mary and Joseph found first-hand that government leaders tend care more about
preserving their power than anything else. The angels’ announcement was
delivered to a nation in turmoil and captivity. Years of captivity had
humiliated the Jews - people who knew they were supposed to be chosen of God;
but God seemed to show them no favor. Every insurrection attempting to free
themselves ended in more bloodshed. They were searching for peace. After the
angels’ proclamation of peace, Herod turned his entire province into a Newtown
when he slaughtered all the baby boys. Scripture tells us that Ramah was
“weeping for her children and would not be comforted.” Even the Jews’ own
leaders failed to show goodwill toward them. Crooked religion became the tool
to enslave common people with legalistic requirements that bolstered the
Pharisee’s power and failed to meet the spiritual needs of the people.
Peace not only fails to be found in politics, neither can it
be found in popular belief. The people voted to crucify peace and goodwill. The
ones longing for deliverance crucified their only hope for salvation. Christ
promoted spiritual change, not political change. He did not deliver on their
terms, so He was rejected. Consequently, Israel failed to find its independence.
After the time of Christ, the temple was destroyed while poverty and captivity
ensued. Their stubborn, human logic had obstructed peace and goodwill.
Does this sound familiar? Politicians fail to alleviate
society’s unrest, leaders focus on self-preservation, the people vote to remove
Christ’s influence, and uninformed, short-sighted ideas captivate mainstream
thinking.
Where can peace and goodwill be found? In Christ. When the
angels announced the coming of peace and goodwill, they were declaring the only
One who can bring peace, and He came as a goodwill gift from heaven. Zechariah
proclaimed that the Dayspring - the dawn of a new day – would arrive in Israel.
A new day has been offered, but the gift from heaven requires acceptance.
Rather than placing peace and goodwill on your “grown-up
Christmas list” of fanciful, utopian ideas, place yourself before the Prince of
Peace who has already come. Bow before Him. Reverence Him. Make Him your king. You
don’t have to wait on political action or public approval. Christ is heaven’s
goodwill gift of peace. There’s no need to look relentlessly for Him. You’ll
find Him on your knees.
