February 1

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

Luke 2:14

Linguistically, the meaning of this first Christmas carol is, ‘Peace on earth towards men of good will, towards men who are in God’s will.’

‘This is the will of God,’ Jesus said, ‘that you believe on Him Whom the Father hath sent,’ (John 6). If you believe on Him Whom the Father hath sent, if you believe on Jesus, you will indeed be one who, regardless of what’s happening around you externally, will experience a peace in your heart internally.

Don’t let anyone take that peace from you by implying that you should be doing more or trying harder. Instead say, ‘Thank You, Lord, for the good news of great joy that unto me is born a Savior. I embrace this and I thank You for the peace I experience not because of what I’ve done, but because of what You did in coming to earth to die for me.’

I never tire of talking about the simplicity of the Gospel because I have discovered that it is constantly being challenged. Perhaps even subconsciously, we find ourselves saying, ‘It can’t be that simple. Surely I am supposed to do something, to earn something, to prove something.’ But such is not the case.

‘It is finished,’ Jesus declared on the Cross (John 19:30). Therefore, all that remains for you to do is to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength in response to the goodness, grace, and lovingkindness He pours out upon you.