With so much in the news today about violent protests, cyber terrorism, jihad and wars, it is tempting to wonder whether this peace on earth proclaimed by the angels to the shepherds is really possible. Peace…are you serious? Is it foolish for us to sing about peace on earth when there’s anything but peace on earth? That is a question your grandchildren may be asking. What will you tell them?

Tell them it is not foolish if two things are understood: 1) Peace on earth as a state of cessation of war, greed and violence is not what the angels were declaring…yet; 2) The peace on earth they sang of that holy night has indeed come because Christmas points to Easter.

If you are accustomed to the King James translation of this angelic proclamation—“peace on earth, goodwill to men”, you might miss this real significance of this proclamation. What the angels actually said was, 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” (or “with whom He is pleased”). But we know that God can only be pleased with those who are perfect and holy. That is certainly none of us because all of us have sinned and the wages of that sin is death—God’s displeasure.

But that is the whole point of the angels’ proclamation. Because of this miraculous Incarnation of the Word into human existence and the ultimate conclusion of His Incarnation at the Cross, the glory of God is being proclaimed in the highest realm. God’s peace and favor is about to fall upon those with whom He is pleased; that is, those whom He would redeem at the Cross. John the Baptist understood this. Simeon and Anna understood this. But most did not until after Jesus’ death and resurrection. This message of peace—that Christmas points us to Easter—is the message we must tell our grandchildren.

For those of us who know and follow this Savior of whom the angels sang, we also know that before He went to the Cross Jesus told His disciples there would be trouble in this world for those who believe. The world will hate those who are called by His name because it hates Him. Therefore, we should not be surprised by the chaos and lack of peace in the world. Yet, even so—praise be to God—He is our peace!

We understand and celebrate Jesus as the only source of real peace—both the peace that we know in the midst of the trouble, and the peace that will one day be reality for the entire world. Our peace began with the birth of a babe in the manger who, as the perfect Lamb of God, would take our sins upon Himself. The peace He promised is one that surpasses all understanding. It is reserved for those on whom His favor rests—those who by faith are hidden in Christ.

This good news proclaimed by the angelic host that night is not just that child was born, but that a Savior has come. It is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Without Easter, Christmas means nothing. Do you know His peace? Do your grandchildren recognize it in you?

May this peace of Christ fill your hearts and minds this Christmas season, even in the midst of the peace-less world. Hold firmly to the certain hope that this Savior who emptied Himself of His glory to become like us and save us from our sin, will also come again to take us to be with Him in a new heaven and a new earth. Let that hope be our peace now and always, generation to generation. So, as often as you can, sing of peace on earth and tell the next generations of the wonders He has done for us. Christmas is merry because Easter happened!