“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14)
Can you even imagine this spectacular and most HOLY night? The shepherds were terribly afraid! First the angels’ announcement, and then the heavenly host praising and glorifying God and speaking in unison of goodwill toward men!
Many people back then and now have been confused about this goodwill toward men, which the host of angels proclaimed. Those who have not been born-again from above, mistakenly think that the angels were bringingpeace between men.
The sin within us has always divided people. Jealousy, greed, lust for power; would people ever come to the place where there would be love between us all? Many hoped this would happen.
But the birth of the Christ Child was certainly not to heal ill feelings between men! As a matter of fact, His birth would intensify these conflicts:
“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” ( Luke 12:51-53)
The birth of Christ was the greatest event that ever happened on the earth. God came down, and walked upon the earth which He created. He walked with us, and told us stories in parables about how we should love one another. But He made it clear that we could not do this apart from Him.
His Father sent Him — the Word made Flesh. Jesus knew that the only way we could be reconciled to His Father was for Him to die. The only sacrifice that could ever cover our sins was His own blood! The blood of Yeshua was shed so that we could stand blameless before the Father.
What kind of Love is this? The One who spoke everything into existence in heaven and earth chose to die that horrid death on the Cross because of one thing — His great love for us.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
This was His plan from before the foundations of the earth were laid. He gave us His Commandments, and knew that we would fall short. He had to show His attributes; His Holiness and Righteousness and that He is Just.
That was a dilemma — He loved us, but could not abide sin. The beauty of His plan takes my breath away.
WHY? Why would He do this? He did this because of Love; a love that we sometimes find hard to fathom. It’s Agape love — unconditional love. OH, how He loves us!
A simple and beautiful song which says it so perfectly:
Oh, how He loves you and me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give;
Oh, how He loves you, Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.
Jesus to Calv’ry did go,
His love for mankind to show.
What He did there brought hope from despair.
Oh, how He loves you, Oh, how He loves me,
Oh how He loves you and me.
Oh, how He loves you and me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give;
Oh, how He loves you, Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He loves you and me. (by Kurt Kaiser)
May Yeshua be your Shalom forever!
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