December 24
Luke 2:13-14
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Let There Be Peace on Earth
by Todd Still, Ph.D.
In recounting the miraculous births of John the Baptizer and Jesus of Nazareth in the first two chapters of his gospel, Luke the Evangelist incorporates four canticles. These now well-known hymns, which often bear Latin titles, are commonly referred to as Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), Zechariah’s Benedictus (1:66-79), the heavenly host’s Gloria in Excelsis (2:14), and Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis (2:29-32). This Christmas Eve let us fix our focus on the mention of peace in the third and shortest of these stunning songs.
While minding their own business, Luke reports that unsuspecting shepherds are visited by an angel, who in turn is joined by a heavenly host (2:8-13). Collectively, these heavenly visitors proceed to glorify “God in the highest heaven” and pronounce peace on those people upon whom the divine favor (or good pleasure) rests. The term “peace” (Greek eirene, from which the name “Irene” is derived”) appears with some regularity in the Third Gospel (14 times to be precise). Instructively, eirene also appears in Zechariah and Simeon’s songs (Luke 1:79; 2:14).
In the 1st century AD, peace was promised, promulgated, and preserved by Rome through her military might (the so-called pax Romana). In stark contrast to Rome’s militaristic political program, during his earthly life and ministry, Jesus showered shalom (Hebrew for “peace”) on people through his winsome words, work, and witness. Not infrequently, he would pronounce peace upon those he had healed (see, e.g., Luke 7:50; 8:48).
Not long after his earthly life, life-giving death, and death-defying resurrection and ascension, the One who proclaimed peace while on earth would be perceived and experienced as Peace to all who draw near to him (note esp. Ephesians 2:14-15). Such people are now the ones upon whom God’s favor rests.
The 8th century BC prophet Isaiah envisioned a day when a child would be born and a son would be given, one with authority, who would be called, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Over the Christian centuries, not a few have identified that promised Prince of Peace with the Dayspring from on high. They have found him willing and able to “guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79).
Peace is one of four commonly emphasized Advent themes and is the theme upon which we have focused in this devotional. While rightly regarded as an abstract noun in English, my hope for you this Christmas Eve and in the days that follow is that you will embrace and experience peace in and through Christ. What Paul wishes for the Colossians, I wish for you and for all: “May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). Amen.
About the Author
Todd Still, Ph.D.
Todd D. Still, Ph.D., is The Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean and The William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures in Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Dr. Still is a New Testament scholar, focusing on Thessalonians and Pauline Epistles.
Dr. Still is the author of Conflict in Thessalonica and the co-author of Thinking Through Paul. He has also written three commentaries (on Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon respectively), and some fifty articles that have appeared in such venues as New Testament Studies, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Catholic Biblical Quarterly. He has also edited or co-edited ten volumes (including the award-winning Lightfoot Legacy Set) and has made over one hundred academic presentations. Presently, he is under contract to write a guide to the Thessalonian Letters (T&T Clark), a reading of 1-2 Corinthians (SPCK), and a companion to Pauline interpretation (T&T Clark). In addition to his administrative and academic work, Dr. Still is committed to and involved in local churches across Texas.