"It's Time"

The angels watched in wonder,

As the Father gave the sign,

After centuries of waiting,

It was finally time,

For the Holy One of Israel,

Immanuel His name,

Would enter through a virgin’s womb,

The human race to claim.

And no, it could not happen,

But miracles occur,

And the Spirit made one happen,

As the angel shared with her.

And there in a tiny stable,

In a little, nothing place,

Off the beaten pathway,

He chose to show His face.

So highly unlikely,

So humble and so poor,

But there with heaven’s glory,

Prophets’ word to word endure.

So when the Good Lord says it,

It’s what you should expect.

‘Cause He keeps every promise,

And even when we wreck.

His love the light of nations,

His saving, healing grace,

Praise the Christ of Christmas,

And His banner raise.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased…” (Luke 2:14, NLT)

Jesus comes to bring peace to this earth. It cannot happen, however, if we still think we can have peace on our own terms. Give me peace, we say, but we want it our way. Not. How, then, do we receive the peace that He offers? On His terms, and that means we surrender control to Him. Peace with God is bought by the blood of Jesus and is God’s free gift. But to receive the gift we must believe in Jesus Christ and surrender our lives to Him. This is not about earning the peace. Rather it should be understood that we are cooperating with it. When we do, the peace transcends human understanding. It is deeper and stronger than anything that threatens it. It keeps us steady when all around us falls apart. It is the God-given peace that comes to those with whom He is well-pleased.

Lord, give us Your peace, on Your terms, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jack Sorenson, jacksorensonfineart.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Jack, and God bless you.