Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:14 (MSG)
Peace To All Men – The Christmas Series – Part 3
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
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Peace was something the Israelites longed for, lived for, hoped for, were desperate for. We sing “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” at Christmas time, but for those living in the Ancient Near East, there was no sleeping in peace. It was a far-off dream. (and for many around the world, it remains so).
By the time the Angel appeared to the Shepherds – so the story goes – Judea had been under Roman Rule for some 60 years. Caesar had gained control of most of the known world, from England to India. In every town he entered, in every Roman conquered province, the people were to bow to Ceasar and proclaim him, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” And if you didn’t bow? They strapped you to stake in such a way that you would stay alive for a few days, each breath more torturous than the last, until, finally, you died.
It was called a cross.
In 4BCE, the town of Judean town Emmaus was burned to the ground, and two thousand people were slaughtered. In the Year 41BCE, The Ceasar was officially announced and declared to be Divine, a God amongst humans. And Ceasar’s son? Well, he was called, “The Son of God.” There was an inscription found dating back to 9BCE that said: “The Birthday of Ceasar has been for the whole world the beginning of ‘The Good News.'”
Ceasar, a God among men, who was called things like the “Saviour of the World;” who was to be worshipped; who’s son and heir was called, “the Son of God,” – it was this man who had his boot on the heads of the Israelites.
So when an Angel appeared to some Shepherd in a field and said,
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once, the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.” (Luke 2:9-14 MSG).
It evoked more than just a fuzzy feeling.
Peace? On earth? Good News for all? A Saviour is born?
It would have rocked their worlds on every level possible.
No, the peace of Christ is not some lovely feeling to sing about. It’s a subversive act. And as Jesus life would attest, it's more about peace-making than peacekeeping.
How do you make peace? Well, that's the hard part. It’s made through forgiveness, service, talking, reconciling… it’s speaking up for those who have no voice and standing in the gap for those who can’t stand for themselves. It’s speaking truth to power and outright refusing to let domination and control guide our choices. It’s about choosing to see the Divine thread in all we come across, and casting aside our judgments in order that we might listen and learn from those we don’t understand. Peace is fierce, humble and inclusive.
Ceasar brought “peace” (for himself, so it seemed) by the sword. And the Israelites had been paying for it with their taxes, land, and lives, for decades.
But the Angel proclaimed another who would bring a different kind of peace, a Saviour born in a manger, a truly joyous and great event. His Birth brought about a whole new kind of “Good News.”
Go to Part 4 – Bring Great Joy »
Written by Liz Milani
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