PEACE ON EARTH

December 19, 2023

I find the connection fascinating—that the physician/disciple, Luke, told the story we love so much of the birth and the first visitors. Luke’s gospel is characterized by Jesus’ compassion and that gives us insight into his life as a physician—a man of compassion.

Do you remember how Luke started his gospel? As an eyewitness, he wanted to “set forth in order” the life of Jesus and he wrote to “most excellent Theophilus,” perhaps a Roman official whose name means “one who loves God.” Of course, the story was meant for all of us.

Luke begins Jesus’ story with the introduction of Zacharias, a priest, who was the fortunate one to be chosen when they cast lots, to go into the temple to burn incense, a once-a-year event. Everyone outside was praying. It may seem it was luck, but we can be sure that this was God’s plan. An angel appeared and told him not to be afraid. “Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.”

John was to prepare the way of the Lord, according to the angel. However, Zacharias needed some explanation of how this could be. I love the answer of the angel!

“I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God.” Don’t you think that would be enough to make you believe? An angel—Gabriel, no less—sent from God’s very presence!

The angel told him that he would not be able to speak until the baby was born because “you did not believe my words.”

Now our thespians appear. Laura is a stagehand who is sending an angel to appear to Mary. Note the string that enables the angel to slide across the room to make his appearance!

Gabriel appears a second time in this story. “In the sixth month (of Elizabeth’s pregnancy), God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph.”

Gabriel gave the greeting again: “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. . . You will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Then Gabriel gives her the news about Elizabeth, a relative, who is in her sixth month, “she who was said to be barren.”

And then these inspiring words: “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary got ready and “hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,” where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

The actors take us to this scene. Please note that Elizabeth is knitting (Laura) and Mary (Rebecca) arrives with suitcase in hand. Also note the costumes complete with sandals.

Mary begins singing a hymn. At times, music is the only thing that expresses what we feel.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”

God used a humble girl to give birth to His Son. Later, the angels appeared, not to nobles and people of high rank, but to shepherds, who were the lowest of society.

Luke tells us that Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.

I memorized this as a fifth grader in Macon, Georgia, and I love the sound of the words of the King James Version.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree . . .” Mary and Joseph had to make that trek to Bethlehem because of the decree that “all the world should be taxed.” The phrase “and it came to pass” is filled with meaning. The decree set the stage for an event God had planned since before the creation of the world. That’s hard to fathom, but the whole Old Testament leads to this time in history when God came to earth as a man.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”

Shepherds were doing their job in the field when an angel appeared to them and guess what the first words were? “Fear not.” I wonder if Gabriel was making an appearance again.

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

The shepherds had never seen anything like this before, that’s for sure! Suddenly—the heavens were filled with angels, praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

The shepherds believed and came “with haste” and they found Mary and Joseph and “the babe lying in a manger.”

“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

They couldn’t keep the news to themselves!