Luke 2:13-14 "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, goodwill toward men!"
With those words the angels ushered in a new era of grace and mercy. No longer would the Father be angry toward mankind because of unrighteousness. Now Jesus came to make those who would receive Him the righteousness of God through His sacrifice. The angels weren't declaring "peace among men." It's painfully obvious that isn't happening as a whole. What they were declaring was that the war between God and man was over. Jesus came to be the mediator between God the Father and mankind (1 Tim. 2:5). The life and death of Jesus would mark the fulfillment of the law.
God knew that man needed a savior. His plan from the very beginning was to live among His people. When Adam fell from grace, a wall of separation came between mankind and God. When God presented man with the law through Moses, His intention was to show man that it would be impossible to keep every detail of the law. Man would need a savior. God had the plan of redemption inside Him before the foundation of this world. He would come into this earth through the same doorway that everyone comes- through the womb of a woman. He would send His only Son to pave the way for fellowship between God and man. Jesus was the perfection that you and I could never be. He faced the same hardships that we face, plus much worse. He overcame Satan and defeated Him soundly.
Jesus tore down the wall of separation between us and our Father. Now we can go boldly before the throne and obtain mercy and grace (Heb. 4:16). Now we can overcome just like He did, in His Name. While we were born into sin, we were reborn into righteousness when we accepted Jesus as our savior (Rom. 5:17). As a child of God, you don't have to qualify yourself, Jesus qualified you already! This is the true gospel, the too good to be true news that you are in right-standing with God because of the Blood of Jesus Christ! This isn't a license to sin, it's a license to prosper in everything you do.
Renewing your mind to what Jesus has truly done for you will free you from old habits, sins and addictions. You don't have to adopt a miserable, judgmental attitude toward yourself and others to earn God's favor. Jesus earned it for you. Now receive His grace and go free. No wonder the angels were so overcome with joy. They were speaking prophetically about the little baby born that night in Bethlehem. Satan didn't know it yet, but his worst nightmare just came true. Mankind didn't know it yet, but his Messiah had just arrived.
This Christmas, don't get stressed out with materialism and become depressed. Remember the real reason for the season. The Peacemaker has come to set you free!
