Peace On Earth

For most, this is a busy time of year.  So much to do.  There are Christmas programs and parties, cards to send, things to decorate, presents to buy.  All this while you struggle to maintain your sanity at work or at school.  Life becomes so busy we often fail of the peace that Jesus came to give.  Wasn't it the angelic heavenly host that celebrated Jesus' coming, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men"!
Yet, that first Christmas posed many challenges, even for those who were given a divine call to bring Jesus into the earth.
Joseph had received the summons to go up from Galilee to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; to register for a Roman census with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  Joseph had just finished paying the bills when he received notice that he needed to register for a future tax.  He'd prepared the nursery.  Being a carpenter, he'd busied himself with making a wooden cradle.  He'd set aside money for the additional expense a new family member would bring.  Perhaps he hadn't anticipated he'd be hit with a future tax bill and the additional expense of making a long journey to Bethlehem (the place of his lineage).  FedEx had yet to be born!
Then there was Mary who was "great" with child.  She couldn't make the trip on foot.  She'd need a mode of transportation to make her journey as easy and comfortable as possible.  Perhaps he didn't have a donkey tied up in the back ready to go.  He'd need to purchase or rent one.  MORE EXPENSE!  If he borrowed one, he'd need to feed and care for it along the way.
They had to make preparation for the trip.  They'd need to pack a bag or two and make sure their home and shop were secured in the wake of their absence.  Then, off to Bethlehem they'd go.
The trip wasn't easy.  They'd need to stop and rest from time to time to regain their strength.   They, no doubt, took great comfort in knowing that a warm, cozy, accommodating Inn awaited them with all the comforts of home.
They arrived in Bethlehem just in time to find out there's no room at the Inn.  They had no way of making advanced reservations.  Nobody took pity on them, seeing that Mary was about to have her baby.  They'd have to spend the night in a nasty stable and do the best they could to make for a sanitary condition.    Maybe it hadn't been cleaned that day.  Perhaps Joseph had to grab a shovel or pitchfork and do a little "barn cleaning" before it was a suitable place for a delivery.
Mary is soon to have her child.  They'd need plenty of fresh water and clean towels.  They'd need adequate lighting.
Bottom line, it took a lot of effort to prepare for what we'd call, the first Christmas.
Yet, in the midst of this ordeal, an angelic host appear to shepherds, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men".
Mary and Joseph hadn't received much "goodwill" from the Innkeeper.  The Roman government hadn't made it convenient for them to register for the census.  And peace may have escaped them as they made the long, arduous journey and prepared for Christ's coming.
Yet, in spite of it all, the angelic messengers are sent by God to a little place like Bethlehem proclaiming "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
God knew His peace was not predicated on one's circumstances.  Many of us want to wait until everything is perfectly in order to have peace.   "If only I can get all the cards mailed and the presents bought and the tree decorated; then I can have peace."  That's the way many of us live. But can we have peace in the midst of it all?  Apparently so.  For the angels didn't wait till Mary and Joseph were back in the comforts of home in order to proclaim peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 reads, "Be careful for nothing (the Amplified Translation says, "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything"); but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
We can enjoy the peace of God when it makes absolutely no sense.  God's peace can bypass our understanding. God's peace is not predicated on our circumstances.  We can have peace whether it's stormy or calm; whether we've lost a job, a loved one or anything else.   How? By taking every situation before God in prayer with thanksgiving.  God's peace comes as we place the burden of unmet need upon Him in prayer.  As we pray, we stop taking upon ourselves the sole responsibility for getting the job done.  We may be very "pregnant" with our situation.  We are feeling the pressure.  We're feeling discomforted.  Life can be filled with need, pain and uncertainty.  But we have an open invitation from God to petition Him in prayer, knowing that, on the authority and integrity of His Word, He is willing and able to meet our every need.  Suddenly our "yoke becomes easy and our burden light".  I can rest, assured in knowing that He'll comfort my troubled soul.  As I shop, I'll discover good deals that will save me money.  I'll find what I need quickly and easily.  I'll get to the post office in time for my packages to arrive on schedule.  I won't fall off the ladder as I'm stringing the Christmas lights!  And my friends and relatives will be in good spirits as we meet together for meaningful fun and fellowship around the tree and the dining room table.
So, as you're getting gifts for everyone else, take the time to receive the greatest gift of all.  Receive the peace that only Jesus can give.   It will bypass your understanding.  It will bypass your troubled soul and busy schedule.  Be assured that God will hear and answer you when you call.  Jesus came that we might have peace.  Don't miss out on the very reason that we celebrate this season.  To everyone, have a very peaceful, Merry Christmas!