Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 9:1-7
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One advantage of old age is that I can remember incidents which happened long ago. I can remember my first day at school, Easter 1935, but yesterday’s breakfast, I can’t remember! There is one particular memory that stands out for me – September 29th 1936. We lived in this terraced house, in an area where there was almost 100% unemployment. I was 5 ½ years old and I had been playing out in the backyard with my younger brother Tom. Eventually, father called us in for bed. We were washed and changed in the kitchen and sent straight upstairs to bed. We weren’t allowed in the front room. My mother was ill. My father brought us a single bed downstairs so he could watch over her. In those days doctors and nurses cost money. We usually depended on neighbours for help or we managed on our own. Father had been unemployed for as far back as I can remember. He spent his days looking for work. We lived in a slum. There was no garden so we were unable to grow food. The only grass we saw was on the flagstones between the pavement. Times were hard.
The next morning I got up and I had the biggest surprise ever.my mother was sitting up in bed. Beside her was a brand new baby boy. I had a baby brother! I spent the whole of that morning standing on the front door stop telling everyone who passed by, neighbours and strangers, ‘I’ve got a new baby brother!’ As a 5 year old boy, the street I lived in was my whole world. I spread the news. As my mother was weak and tired, so my father brought the whole thing to a close.
My brother grew up having a normal childhood. 88 years ago I announced the birth of a baby to all concerned. But there was another baby born; His birth was foretold old as far back as Genesis 3:15. Perhaps the most wonderful proclamation of this birth is,
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
This baby brought with Him something needed from the dawn of creation, from the fall of grace of Adam and Eve in the garden. He brought salvation. The five names given to him in this prophecy are distinctive. He is named wonderful, showing He is awesome, God in flesh, a miracle worker, full of wonder. Counsellor shows He advises us in all things by the love He has for us. Mighty God reflects He is the divine one. Everlasting father shows He is the provider, protector and disciplinarian. Prince of Peace shows He gives divine peace and calm to all who trust in Him.
On a dark cold night, shepherds were exposed to all kinds of dangers. Then, good news came. The angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were sore afraid. The shepherds were accustomed to a quiet life. They made the journey to where this great event took place. There, an essential part of this nativity scene, they saw the Prince of Peace. When Isaiah uttered this prophecy, about 3000 years ago, the nation was suffering. Yet, Isaiah held hope for the people. This light is Jesus who said, “I am the light of the world.”
The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom, was known well enough and used as a greeting. Finally, on that first Christmas Day, peace came. The shepherds were ceremoniously unclean, the nobodies of their day. Who would believe the testimonies of shepherds, the forgotten of men? But God often uses the forgotten. Just imagine peace- no more war, no more killing. But there was still no more peace. One day a Roman legion came to Bethlehem so that boys aged 2 years and under would be slain. For hundreds of broken, bleeding hearts the cry goes on, ‘The angel was wrong. There is no peace on earth.’ But the peace that Jesus brings is a peace that passes understanding. It is not a political peace, it is peace with God.
Sin separates man and God. Sin is the greatest disturber. It constantly troubles the heart. It is the source of all disorder. Jesus came to restore order to the heart of man. Jesus came to redeem, to save His people from their sins. Not only does Jesus give peace with God but He gives the peace of God. (Philippians 4:7).
How can we find this peace? It doesn’t come through the world of men. Jesus said, “My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth.” The peace of God is a gift. You need to accept it in humility and in thanksgiving. (Isaiah 26:23). This peace is God’s gift in response to repentance in faith, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” (Ephesians 2:14).
The peace of God is God Himself. The coming of God to this world must never be forgotten. He lived and died for us. The wisdom and love of God is brought home to us and we read His word. He was born and died for us on a Roman cross. The greatest act of love this world has known! This is the good news that needs to be told.
Penuel Baptist Chapel, Roch 