Faith Matters clergy column from the Rev. Anne Barber

"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, good will toward men." (Luke 2:13-14)

This Christmas there certainly doesn't seem to be much peace on Earth or goodwill toward men throughout our world.

In America we have a contentious political contest underway, shootings in churches, universities, movie theaters, military and government facilities, etc.

Abroad, the Mideast is smoldering in heated conflict, refugees are pouring across borders, and the United States is re-engaging in the fight.

Where is our "peace on Earth?"

Was there even peace and goodwill toward men in the days before and after Christ's birth?

During His entire life, the Jews were forced to live under Roman occupation. They had to obey all Roman edicts no matter how unreasonable.

Luke 2 tells us in her ninth month of pregnancy, such an edict forced Mary to take a long, bumpy trip by burro to Bethlehem where Joseph had to pay taxes to the Romans. Arriving late at night, they stayed in the stable, which housed all the travelers' animals.

That's where Mary gave birth. (Probably not a very "silent' or peaceful night.)

Matthew 2 says, shortly after Christ's birth, the Magi inadvertently tipped King Herod off to the birth of the new "Messiah," and Herod set out to find and kill Jesus. These "wise men" followed the star and arrived at the house where Jesus' family lived approximately two years after Jesus' birth. (No, they weren't present at the manger.)

By now Herod was enraged, because God warned the Magi not to return to him with information about the baby.

At the same time, Joseph was warned in a dream to hide Jesus. So he and Mary fled with the baby to Egypt for approximately two more years.

They got Jesus safely to Egypt just in time, because a murderous, jealous Herod had issued an edict to slaughter all the baby boys in and around Bethlehem who were 2 years old and under (because Jesus would be about 2 years old now), in order to kill Jesus and stop Him from becoming Herod's replacement.

The family didn't return from Egypt until Herod was dead. It was a terrifying and brutal time.

Where was that promised "peace on Earth?"

Once He began His public ministry, there was little peace and a lot of ill-will directed at Christ. The scribes and pharisees were constantly following Him, worried His popularity would cause the Roman occupiers to think Jesus followers wanted to overthrow Rome and establish Him as king. And many did want that.

But Jesus wasn't born to be an earthly king. He came to be the Prince of Peace, the Savior of lives, the Redeemer of souls.

Herod, and later the scribes and pharisees, saw Him as competition for a position, as well as dangerously upsetting the well-being of Jews living under Roman rule.

So what happened to "peace on Earth, goodwill toward men" promised by the heavenly host?

Did they get it wrong?

No. God's peace indeed arrived on Earth that night in a stable in Bethlehem, contained in the form of a person -- God's own Son, Jesus.

It is a peace that can sustain and calm us through all circumstances.

A peace that brings love, understanding and goodwill toward all. This peace enters the heart of each person who sincerely invites Christ into their lives. And as that peace comes into the hearts of each of us individually, we can begin to experience peace while living on Earth.

If you have never taken this step, why not give yourself the Christmas gift of the indescribable peace of God?

Just ask Christ to come into your heart -- He promises that He will.

The Rev. Anne Barber, pastor of My Father's House, 7215 U.S. 301 N., Ellenton. Information: aebarber08@gmail.com. Faith Matters is a regular feature of Saturday's Herald, written by local clergy members.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Faith Matters clergy column from the Rev. Anne Barber ."