Dear friends, Christmas is rapidly approaching, and soon we'll hear once again the words, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men," (Luke 2:14) words that were sung by the world's largest angel choir on a peaceful night.  We could use some peace on earth right now.  Today we all sense a lack of peace as the world's largest super power stands nose to nose with the world's nastiest dictatorship, as unemployment is rapidly rising and as bankruptcy looms for the world's second largest airline.  The bombings and firings still go on, and hatred fills the air.

          And yet amid the bad news, today another little baby, Todd Martin Dirickson, has been born into our church, with all the promise and hope of things to come.  He joins the four little boys and two little girls born to us since last June.

          The angels sang their song to notify the world of the Savior's birth.  Notice who the angels did not notify.  They didn't notify the press, as reporters back then would not have found a birth in a stable to be noteworthy.  The angels didn't notify the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce which would have debated whether a religious story violated separation of church and state.  They didn't notify government leaders who are always too busy with policies and politics.  And strangely, the angels didn't notify the churches, which is a bit distressing.  Surely a message of God from angels would have been well-received in the churches back then, don't you think?

          No, the angels notified herdsmen, keepers of livestock, smelly sheepmen.  It's good they didn't notify cattlemen, because for sure they'd have made such a fuss about what they saw that no one would have believed them.  "Partner, the whole sky was filled with angels and bright light.  You'll shoulda seen it!"  No, the angels notified a few quiet people who stopped in late at night for a quick look at a newborn babe, and with a tale of singing angels.  And maybe even a prayer of thanks for such a sweet little feller.  It was some shepherds who found a little peace on earth that night.

          St. Peter, writer of today's lesson, wasn't there when the angels sang.  Right about then a young boy Peter was probably dreaming about making the big catch or having his own boat or maybe having a nightmare about a storm on the sea.  Maybe Peter was dreaming of making his Dad proud of him, like most ten-year-olds do.  Much later, he would look back on those years with Rabbi Jesus as the best of his life.  As he wrote the words of our text he was an old man, grateful for his life, but eager to know the new life God promised the faithful, that life free from toil and rejection and conflict and aches and pains.

          Like so many old folks, Peter felt sure the world was going to end soon, so he urged believers to be ready for the Day of the Lord, the day when a "new heaven and a new earth" would appear, a day when righteousness and justice would prevail.  He wrote, "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."  If at all possible, he said, be at peace with God and with each other.

          More and more I am realizing that peace is impossible for people to attain.  America has been in war after war during the past century, not to defend its borders, but to defend its allies.  And today while we're gearing up for war, our allies are running for cover.  They're joining a chorus of those who resent us and what we stand for.  Peace treaties are being ignored and every day now we are being labelled as the bad guys, the "John Wayne" cowboys who want only to "shoot up the place."  No one believes we're doing this for future peace.  Few countries have joined with us, and they only meekly.  Where are our allies when we need them?  Why is peace so elusive?  How can we ever attain it?

          Years ago, a prominent member of British Parliament said, "Governments never have permanent allies, governments never have permanent treaties;  Governments only have permanent interests."  Because this is true, and because America rightfully keeps seeking the interests of its citizens, peace will never last.  That's because true peace is never earned, it is a gift!  Only God brings us true peace, not presidents or politicians or armies.  We can only strive to be at peace, because God is the giver of peace.  He brings "peace on earth, good will towards men."  We only enjoy it.  No matter how hard we may use our might or diplomacy or cleverness, we will never create lasting peace.  We just strive for peace but only God can give it.

          This is true among nations and it's true in our homes.  No matter how good a parent we strive to be, peace comes to our homes because God gives it.  The best husband cannot bring peace to his home without the grace of God.  The best mother or father cannot please son or daughter without the gift of God's peace.  When we say to each other, "God's peace be with you," let's remember that God is the giver, not you or me.  "Passing the peace" is an eternal thing, something lasting, something from God.  Strive to be at peace, but never forget where it comes from.

          Every day the newspapers are telling us of new problems.  Whether it's a new law being made or being broken, whether it's death by gunshot or by disease, we see little around us but problems.  For every gadget made to fix them, more problems result.  And yet we're suffering from only one real problem, one real disease in the world.  Our basic problem in the world is not a political problem.  Our basic problem is not a poverty problem.  Our basic problem is not a war problem.  Our basic problem is a heart problem.

          People need their hearts changed, their hearts transformed.  And only our Lord Jesus can do this.  He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.  He was punished for our sins and by His stripes we are healed.  We all like sheep have gone astray, and yet God has laid our sins on the Good Shepherd.

          And though He is the Savior, Christ is being pushed out of the way.  He's being banned in the public square.  His will and His ways are being ushered out of His own churches.  The solution to our problems is not just being ignored - He's being banned!  We must stand against those who deny God's power.  We must resist those who tell us our God must stay at home, behind closed doors.  He is God.  Only He brings peace!

          I love it when God shows His little surprises.  A mother attended her son's Kindergarten Christmas program.  She was having a hard time getting into the spirit of the season and wasn't looking forward to the "Winter Pageant", blandly named to avoid giving offense.  The children filed in and sat down by classes, ready to get up and do their section of the program when called upon.  She didn't expect much more than commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa, snowflakes, things like that.  But she was taken aback when her boy's class stood to sing a song called, "Christmas Love."

          How about that - they mentioned Christmas!  Who forgot to check the program!  Those children in the front row then held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.  As they did, the class sang, "C is for Christmas," and a child held up the letter C.  Then "H is for happy," and so on to spell the words, "Christmas Love."  All went smoothly until a small girl held up her "M", but it was upside down!  She was now holding a "W"!  The children watching began to snicker, but the girl had no idea why.  She just stood tall, proudly holding her "W".  Teachers tried to hush the children, but laughter grew louder through the song till all the letters were held up.  But then a hush came over all and eyes began to widen, as they caught on to what they saw.  For now the words spelled, "CHRISTWAS LOVE."  Don't you just love God's sense of humor?

          Christ was love and Christ is love.  By His love we are forgiven.  By His stripes we are healed.  Yes, war may be coming, and bankruptcies may happen.  But regardless of conflict or unemployment, Christ's birth will be celebrated again, with peace on earth and good will towards all, at least for awhile.  God's peace be with you, Amen

Copyright © 2002 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.