What the Peace of Christmas Means and To Whom it is Given

This message is primarily for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serve as a Chaplain or a gospel minister in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue mission – in the United States.

All Scripture quotes are usually taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is placed within parenthesis signs (). These usually occur as direct translations from the original languages, or as notes from the original setting to help apply the text to today’s culture.

ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize words in a text, or to make a comment about a biblical text, or emphasize a statement.

As we approach the annual Christmas season, one of the many tasks that fall to facility Chaplains and other Christian volunteers, WHEN THE AUTHORITIES PERMIT IT, is the distribution of “Christmas Cards” to inmates – for the purpose of them sending the cards to their family.

This is good AS LONG AS the cards supplied by the Christian ministers accurately reflect and speak of the truly biblical message of Christmas. We should reject giving cards that celebrate Santa, and other non-biblical Christmas traditions. However, sometimes, even often, the cards classified as “religious” DO NOT reflect God’s true message. These also should NOT be given out by you or your ministry.

You need discernment and a solid understanding of the verses quoted or alluded to, in religious Christmas cards. One area that concerns me is the promotion of Christmas “Peace.” Most of the cards with this message seem to portray the idea that because Jesus was born, NOW GOD IS AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE, and that all the world now has peace with God.

One of the most quoted Christmas texts in the Bible is in Luke 2. There, in verses 13-14, the King James Version and the New King James Version read:

“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, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN.’ ”

Unfortunately these translations although very accurate and word for word translations, were based on the later manuscript copies. Some as late as about 1000 A.D. This verse taken all by itself, lends some credibility to the idea of a UNIVERSAL ALL INCLUSIVE SALVATION AND PEACE, just because of the arrival of the Christ.

Now we have many translations that are based on the older manuscripts like:

The American Standard (1901)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace AMONG MEN IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED.

The NASB (1967) in verse 14 says:
14 … “And on earth peace AMONG MEN WITH WHOM HE IS PLEASED.” (the marginal readings say “among men of good pleasure or of good will)

The ESV
14 … “and on earth peace AMONG THOSE WITH WHOM HE IS PLEASED!”

The NIV – which is not a literal word for word translation but is based on the oldest manuscripts reads:
14 … “and on earth peace TO THOSE ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.”

The Amplified Bible tries to get the most out of the possible translation of the oldest manuscripts and says:
14 … and on earth peace AMONG MEN WITH WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED [MEN OF GOODWILL, OF HIS FAVOR]

So, all of the best translations based on the oldest manuscript copies of the God given word PUT IN A CONDITIONAL CLAUSE, which ends up meaning His peace is coming to those with whom He is well pleased and decides to show favor towards.

Hebrews 11:6 is very clear. It states, “without FAITH it is impossible to PLEASE Him (in context, God).” God is pleased with men and women who BELIEVE Him. His PEACE is reserved for those that have saving FAITH in the gospel His word presents.

So in all truth the Christmas peace promised from God that came through His messenger angels is to those who believe His gospel. That believing includes a true turning from sinful attitudes and actions, or REPENTANCE. The ability to do this is a gift from God to those who want it.

This brings me to remind you what the nature of the PEACE THAT GOD ALONE GIVES is. Just what was the meaning of the heavenly angels’ announcement “on earth PEACE AMONG MEN IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED.” ( Luke 2:14 - 1901 ASV)?

It was Jesus Himself who said to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” And then a little later “These things I have spoken to you, that IN ME you may have PEACE. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 14:27 and 16:33)

Therefore, the peace Christ was speaking about has nothing to do with the world’s thoughts on peace. The PEACE He spoke about was HIS PEACE, which means it is the peace He alone brings.

Romans 4:23 through 5:1 helps us understand further what HIS PEACE is all about.

23 Now IT (a reference to Genesis 15:6 which says: ‘he [Abram in the text] believed in the LORD, and He [the LORD] accounted it [his faith] to him for righteousness’) WAS NOT WRITTEN for his (that is Abram’s) sake alone that it (righteousness) was imputed (meaning credited) to him,
24 but also for us, it shall be imputed TO US WHO BELIEVE in Him who raised up Jesus OUR Lord from the dead,
25 who was delivered up (to death) because of our offenses (our sins), and was raised because of our justification. (literally : ‘raised up on account of the justification of us.)
1 THEREFORE, having been justified BY FAITH we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The very word translated as “peace” in both Luke 2:14 and Romans 5:1 means the tranquil state of a soul in security and safety. It is the opposite of the fear of the just judgment of God.

Why do we need peace with God? Because all humans are from conception in the womb at war with God, having inherited a sin nature from their parents. Their sinful rebellion against God is also shown by their direct acts of disobedience to Him.

This is why JUSTIFICATION or being declared righteous by God on account of our faith in His provision for our sin, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus, RESULTS IN TOTAL PERSONAL PEACE WITH GOD!

Look again at the text of Luke 2:14 IN IT’S CONTEXT: (American Standard Version - 1901) which is in verses 8-18.

8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch over their flock.
9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore (exceedingly) afraid.

They were terrified because holy angels and the very glory of God are not cute, as some Christmas cards depict, but powerful HOLY things! Show inmates verses like Matt.28:2-4, Ex. 2:16-18 and Isaiah 6:1-5; which describe fear of God’s holiness..

10 And the angel said unto them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all THE people (a definite group of people):
11 for there is born TO YOU this day in the city of David (Bethlehem was David’s home town) A SAVIOUR, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this is the sign unto you: Ye (a plural ‘you’) shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger (an animal feeding trough).
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angels) praising God, and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth PEACE AMONG MEN IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED.’
15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us NOW GO even unto Bethlehem, and SEE this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath MADE KNOWN UNTO US.’
16 And they came WITH HASTE, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.
17 And when they saw it, THEY MADE KNOWN concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child
18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.

The good news made known to the shepherds in verse 11, was that FOR THEM a Savior from sin had been born. Obviously, the angel knew these shepherds were chosen of God to be part of THE people who would be believers.

The succeeding verses show us these shepherds were BELIEVERS. Note their faith shown by their enthusiasm to GO and SEE what they believed from the angelic messengers in verse 15. Verse 16 states they did this WITH HASTE! That word “haste” means with all speed and even suggests reckless abandon.

Their faith in God’s revealed message was further demonstrated by the fact that they MADE KNOWN the truths about the child whom they believed was THEIR SAVIOR FROM SIN and therefore, THE BRINGER OF PEACE WITH GOD.

So - you as the messenger of the biblical gospel, should be announcing the terms of peace with God at all times. Especially as the words of the angels to the Bethlehem shepherds are considered. Those terms include repentance and faith as a believer in His sent Savior, Jesus Christ.

Some may ask, “But what about peace among nations and peace between individual human beings?” Once God’s peace invades and transforms a soul that soul is equipped to be at peace with others that are also at peace with God.

Internationally, that condition will not happen until Jesus comes back and reigns on earth for 1000 years. Then, the majority of those alive on earth will be believers and their governments will not sponsor open acts of hatred and war.

The Holy Spirit’s power within individual believers makes peace possible between individuals. They can experience this peace as they yield their lives to Him. The power for this peace is the God given ability to love others in His family. Note these themes in the following verses from 1 John 3:23-24,

23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

People have assurance of salvation through the power the Holy Spirit within them gives them to obey God’s commands and especially to love one another.

And from 1 John 5:1-4,
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is (lit. has been) born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is (has been) begotten of Him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is (has been) born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

In closing let me urge you to stress the fact that peace with God over the forgiveness of our sin IS MORE IMPORTANT than peace with others human beings. After all, without making peace with God, true peace with others is not possible.

This is yet another reason for getting inmates in correctional facilities the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ. He alone is the Prince that brings peace – with God and others.

Have a Peace Filled Christmas – with Jesus Christ at the Center of it All,

Rev. Rich Hines
Aurora Ministries – Minister to Chaplains
Chaplain Help Ministry