Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14

Heavenly Father, 

We cannot help but notice the stark contrasts 

in the story of the first Christmas. 

Into a dark and silent world, 

you sent angels to speak hope. 

Often when they came, 

the first response was fear: 

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, 

and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 

and they were filled with fear” (Luke 2:9). 

Your people lived in a world of strife. 

The words of “It Came upon a Midnight Clear” 

described life then and life now:

“And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,

whose forms are bending low,

who toil along the climbing way

with painful steps and slow…”

And yet, in the midst of 

sorrow 

and suffering 

and silence, 

you sent these wild and fearsome angels 

to announce the arrival of joy and peace:

“Fear not, for behold, 

I bring you good news 

of great joy 

that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10).

What was this good news?

A Savior is born!

He is the King 

who will bring an end 

to the bitter strife 

among humankind:

“He himself is our peace, 

who has made us both one 

and has broken down in his flesh 

the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).

Wherever this season finds us, 

may we listen for the good news:

“Look now! For glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road, 

And hear the angels sing!”

For he has come and brought peace, 

and we await the day 

when he will come again, 

and all hostility will cease. 

In that day, 

there will be no more cause for crying, 

no more “crushing loads.” 

We will sing in a choir 

composed of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue, 

“Glory to God in the highest!”

Come now, Lord Jesus!

Amen.

Read Luke 2:8-14.

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