And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:14

Greeting card companies have used this quote to promote wishes for peace for all who buy and send their cards. It’s lovely to wish someone we care about a peaceful life, but is this what the angels meant when they announced it? I must look at their entire declaration to understand the meaning ~ ‘peace among men with whom He is pleased.’ 

This phrase is connected to another time in the life of Jesus when He was being baptized. His Father said, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.”  So to whom does peace come? To those with whom the Father is pleased. The conditions for pleasing the Father are to love and accept His Son and to embrace Him as Savior and Lord. For every one who does this, there is peace with God.

This sentiment from the angels cannot be misconstrued to mean that in the coming year, the world will be a more peaceful place. It probably won’t. Times here will only prove more perilous as end times play out. God’s plan moves along according to God’s timetable, leading us to the day when Jesus will reign on earth, and we will enjoy peace – internally and externally – for the first time.

For every one of us who has made peace with God through Christ, peace is ours now. We needed Jesus to bear the Father’s wrath in our place. And because He did that, we can rest in the peace of forgiven sins. We must rest in the peace that exists between us and the Father.

Peace with you is my greatest treasure! Thank you. Amen