No matter where you are from, if you’ve lived in Canada through more than one or two Christmas seasons, you have probably heard a Christmas carol or saw a card with the phrase, “Peace On Earth”.  

And you may be wondering, what peace?

Whether it was Israel 2000 years ago, under the brutal occupation of the Roman Empire, or Israel today, peace is not the word anyone would use to describe it. Peace, for most of us, is the absence of conflict and suffering. No more wars. No more fighting. If the events of that first Christmas were supposed to usher in “peace”, there’s no evidence of it.

Some say the phrase “peace on earth” comes from the Christmas carol, “Hark, the herald angels sing” with words penned in 1739 by the famous songwriter Charles Wesley. (Did you know he wrote over 6000 songs?) The carol is referring to the events found in the Bible’s book of Luke.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

-Luke 2:8–14 NLT

You don’t need to be a historian to know that oppression, wars, and conflicts have continued around the world from that time over two thousand years ago until today. If there is no peace, then doesn’t that call into question whether a Saviour was born? Where is the “Peace”?

The word translated “peace” in the Bible, had a fuller meaning when Luke wrote to his friend Theophilus in the Greek language of the time. Beyond an absence of hostilities, the word spoke of wholeness, reconciliation, and restoration. Putting things right, back to the way they should be. Making them complete. Being able to rest in safety.

By that definition, Peace did come to earth that first Christmas, as a baby laying in a manger. He grew into a man that perfectly lived out God’s love in the middle a broken world, full of conflict and selfishness. Showing by His words and actions that He was the promised Messiah. Offering to all people, everywhere: life, wholeness for our brokenness, and rest from our striving to make things right.

Where is “Peace”? Standing beside you, waiting for you to call His name. Jesus.

Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. -Luke 1:78-79, Christian Standard Bible

When Philip Cox was a kid, he wanted to be a doctor and then an architect and then a rock star! After many years working in the tech sector, Phil turned his knowledge and expertise towards helping the team at Outreach Canada harness the latest and most useful technologies as they serve the church in Canada and beyond. Phil is the Director of Technology Services at Outreach Canada.