Peace On Earth

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

Luke 2:14

One of the most startling revelations of NASA’s first ventures to the moon came in the form of photographs of the Earth. The most famous showed the Earth like a fragile, blue ball hanging in the black night of space. It was simultaneously a reminder of how isolated our outpost is in the vastness of the universe, yet how special it is: blue oceans contrasted with white clouds show life like no other heavenly body.

The uniqueness of the Earth is confirmed many ways in Scripture, but nowhere more clearly than in the Christmas story. God so valued His creation that He sent His only Son to redeem it. This blue orb hanging in the silence of space was invaded by hosts of angels who proclaimed, “Peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14) on the night of Jesus’ birth. Every resident of this globe—past, present, and future—was the recipient of that blessing. Even if global peace is yet to cover our world, it can fill the hearts of Earth’s inhabitants.

As you hang beautiful round ornaments on your Christmas tree this year, think of the Earth hanging in space—and those who dwell on it, whom Jesus came to save.

Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.

PHILLIPS BROOKS