Reading through the christmas story in the book of Luke while studying this verse jumped out at me.

Luke:2:13-14

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 favour rests.”

In the secular christmas this seems to have perpetuated the lets all be really nice to each other at ;least once a year tradition. you see it in christmas advertising and lots of christmas movies and programs worded “peace on earth and goodwill to all men” making people assume that it means for all people to nice to each other at least during this time of year and for there to be “Peace” i.e.. no fighting the end of hostility between men. We have even seen this in the middle of major world wars. e.g. The events on Christmas at the front line trenches when enemy troops met together in no mans land and shook hands and shared cigarettes and the next day went back to trying to blow each others heads off (with great success I might add).

We even see articles on the news about how this season shows how me all (of different faiths) can get along and that the festival is really just about giving and receiving.

I hate to burst their bubble but...

The passage in question is not just some glib remark made by a apparition it is a message from God. and when the Almighty goes through all the trouble to send a message it must be important you would think.

“and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests” is a strange thing to say when announcing the birth of a child.

The truth is the reason Jesus was sent was to end the hostility between Man and God, and ultimately his death would do just this as we can through faith in Christ now be called adopted sons and daughters and co-heirs of God’s promises, rather than enemies of God.

It is interesting that Paul encouraged us to have our “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” Ephesians 6:15,

Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.” Mt 5:9 (who is he speaking too? the United Nations , I don’t think so.)

Jesus also said he did “not come to bring peace but the Sword.” Mt 10:43 but in fact he would cause division.

The birth of Jesus is a worthy event to remember and to celebrate, but let us also remember that from the moment he was born he was heading to the cross,