Pres. Bare’s Christmas address: A Cry for Peace Answered.

“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.” 

Luke 2:10-12

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

You know the Christmas story well. A group of shepherds watch their sheep in the fields outside of Bethlehem. The stillness and silence of night is broken with light and sound. Fear consumes them. But the shepherds need not be afraid – for there is good news.  Peace has come. 

In a world of unrest, we still cry out for peace, don’t we?  We watch the news – wars rage on in Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, Myanmar, and countless other countries. Natural disasters are threatening lives. Families are broken by abuse, hatred, and divorce. We look at our own hearts and see a battle ground against our own sin. Where is the peace?  

This Christmas, I invite you to take a break from your work, your studies, and the stress of this world for just a moment. Whether it’s your first time or your thousandth, listen to those angels. They’re pointing you to a savior who has been born for you:  Christ the Lord. Like the shepherds we will see him “Wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” This is the Immanuel – God with us, born as a humble baby to bring us peace. 

The Angels burst out in song, praising God, Glory to God in the highest. For peace has come to those on whom his favor rests. But who are “those on whom his favor rests”? That’s you and me – God’s favor rests on us. How can we be so sure?  Because that baby would one day grow up, would one day die on a cross, and would one day rise triumphantly. That baby would ensure you and I have peace with God – that God’s favor could rest on us. That’s true peace.

Sound too good to be true?  This Christmas, go with the shepherds again and see this “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” And there, be filled with peace. Then go and share the news – true peace has come!

In Jesus,

Jon Bare