The Second Noel – Part Three

“Peace On Earth”

Peace is both an event and a process.  On September 2, 1945, representatives of Japan and America, the two powers that had been locked in World War II, met on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay and a peace treaty was signed.  On that day peace was an event. Since that time it has been a process enjoyed by both parties to the treaty.

People want peace in their lives as a process.  It is not possible without it first being an event.  The event involves you signing a treaty with Christ.  He has already signed it with His blood.  Now by faith it is your turn to sign.

“Once on the eve of Christmas
when all strange things may hap,
I saw Mary the Mother
with her baby upon her lap.

I saw the Mother, Mary,
holding God’s little son.
She said to him, ‘Small one, tell me
When shall man’s war be done?’

Then the child spake and answered:
‘These wars shall end, said he,
when no man shall wound another
for fear of wounding me.’”

Many people misunderstand this angelic statement regarding peace to refer to the absence of war and hostility, and feel that it is unfulfilled. 

Cynics scoff at the very idea of “Peace on earth…” They ask when and how.  Longfellow wrote a poem that speaks to this.

“I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said,
‘For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth good-will to men.’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead, nor does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.’”

The angelic statement was not a prophecy of peace, but rather a prescription for peace. Be certain to thank Him for the antidote for sin.