Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.[i]
Who would’ve ever guessed God would send an innocent newborn to the front lines of a war to negotiate a peace treaty? Much less, send His one-and-only, one-of-a-kind Son of His love![ii]
For unto us a child is born.
For unto us a Son is given.[iii]
Jesus sprang up on this world’s harsh battlefield like a tender sprout on a gnarly old tree stump.[iv] Though His arrival was announced by a heavenly host of angels, only a few shepherds on a hillside noticed at first. They found Him in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes and nestled safe and snug in a manger.[v]
This meek and lowly One grew up in no fancy surroundings but lived the modest life of a carpenter[vi] There was nothing striking about His looks, nothing pushy or arrogant in the way He carried Himself. In fact, nothing about Him “attracted men’s eyes or made them think him anything extraordinary”. Some might even venture to say He was commonplace. [vii]
Nevertheless, Jesus Christ was God Himself in human flesh. We saw His glory—the glory of the only begotten Son from the Father. With words of love, He spoke. Out of love, He served. For the sake of love, He obeyed. Displaying mercy, He forgave. To ensure forgiveness, He died. To declare us righteous, He rose again.[viii]
He was justified by the Spirit. Seen by angels. Preached among the nations. Believed on in the world. Taken up into glory.[ix]
Jesus is God’s offer of peace and His good will extended to sinful man.[x]
All who accept this offer rejoice in their redemption. They exalt in Jesus’ triumph over their enemies.[xi] They sigh in relief that their sins are pardoned, and their oppressor’s yoke is broken.[xii] They rejoice that divine justice has been satisfied on their behalf. They glory in their peace with God and flourish under Jesus’ ever-increasing government rule.[xiii] Daniel saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.[xiv]
Boy oh boy! Had the rulers of this age, in all their worldly wisdom, understood the wisdom and power of God’s war strategy of salvation through Jesus Christ and Him crucified, they never would have put Him on that cross. The devil also, had he understood, would have gone out of his way to keep it from happening.[xv]
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men!

Merry Christmas and God bless you all!
[i] Luke 2:13
[ii] John 3:16; Psalm 2:7; 1 John 4:9; John 1:14, 18; Colossians 1:13 AMP; Romans 5:1–2
[iii] Isaiah 9:6
[iv] Isaiah 53:2
[v] Luke 2:13–16; Luke 2:7, 12
[vi] Matthew 11:29; Mark 6:3
[vii] Isaiah 53:2 – Pulpit Commentary
[viii] 1 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 45:2; Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:8; Mark 2:5; Luke 24:6–7; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 4:25
[ix] 1 Timothy 3:16; Luke 2:11–14; Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 17:1–5; John 20:30–31; Matthew 27:50–54; Romans 1:4; Mark 1:13; Luke 22:43; Matthew 28:2; Acts 2:32–36; 2 Corinthians 5:19–21; Colossians 1:23; Romans 1:8; Mark 16:15–20; Acts 1:9–11; Hebrews 1:3
[x] 1 Corinthians 1:24; 2:7; Acts 13:38
[xi] Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 3:10; 6:12 – (gospelcoalition.org How Jesus Disarmed the Devil by Steven Wedgeworth April 1, 2020)
[xii] Psalm 32:1–5; Hebrews 8:12; Isaiah 9:2–4
[xiii] Romans 3:23–28; Romans 5:1–2; Isaiah 9:6–7
[xiv] Isaiah 9:6–7; Daniel 7:13–14
[xv] 1 Corinthians 2:2,8; Acts 13: 26-33; Acts 3:13–15; Colossians 2:15
Wonderful post today! It never fails: every time I stop and meditate on just the CONCEPT of God sending us Jesus in order to save us to Him, my heart becomes so full of gratitude, I can barely stand it! Thank you, Jesus, for your birth and sacrifice done in love for us all so that we may experience the exquisite joy of being in your presence forever.
Words to live by and remind us to never stop asking for forgiveness, never stop the prayers....
Another great word Debbie thank you!
Praise Jesus! Beautiful exposition of Truth!!!