FRIDAY 12/6/13 Daily Readings for Advent...Advent is for adoring Jesus - PEACE TO THOSE WITH WHOM HE’S PLEASED

FRIDAY 12/6/13 Daily Readings for Advent...Advent is for adoring Jesus 

PEACE TO THOSE WITH WHOM 

HE’S PLEASED

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby 

wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 

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 among those 

with whom he is pleased!” —Luke 2:12–14

Peace for whom? There is a somber note sounded in the 

angels’ praise. Peace among men on whom his favor rests. 

Peace among men with whom he is pleased. Without faith 

it is impossible to please God. So Christmas does not 

bring peace to all.

“This is the judgment,” Jesus said, “that the light has 

come into the world and men loved darkness rather than 

the light because their deeds are evil” (John 3:19). Or as 

the aged Simeon said when he saw the child Jesus, “Behold

this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel 

and for a sign that is spoken against… that the thoughts 

of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). O, how 

many there are who look out on a bleak and chilly Christmas day and see no more than that.

“He came to his own and his own received him not, 

but to as many as received him to them gave he power 

to become the sons of God, to as many as believed on his 

name.” It was only to his disciples that Jesus said, “Peace 

I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world 

gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” 

The people who enjoy the peace of God that surpasses 

all understanding are those who in everything by prayer 

and supplication let their requests be made known to God.

The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace 

is faith in the promises of God. So Paul prays, “May the 

God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” 

(Romans 15:13). And when we do trust the promises of 

God and have joy and peace and love, then God is glorified.

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

with whom he is pleased—men who would believe.