"Peace On Earth, Peace That Lasts"
#84-16Presented on The Lutheran Hour on December 18, 2016
By Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
(Q&A Topic:It's the time of year for visiting with family, but, to be honest, I don't like some members of the family. How can I get along with people I'm not that fond of?)
Copyright 2025 Lutheran Hour Ministries
Q&A MP3
Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And.... behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins....they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
In the Name of our Savior Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem. Amen.
Oh, that there would be peace on earth this Christmas. That was the same prayer in 1914. In fact, things were much worse then than they are today. The place was the Western front in the European theater of World War I. British ground forces battled German soldiers in brutal trench warfare. On those flat battlefields, troops huddled in deep trenches, peeking out to fire at the enemy. Running from trench to trench under fire caused massive casualties. Disease from the rain-soaked ditches caused even more illness and death. Soldiers became shell-shocked, depressed, and hopeless. It seemed like there was hell on earth, no good will towards men.
But that changed for a miraculous day in December of 1914. You may have heard the story before. I've know that I've told the story before but it still amazes me to hear it again and again.
Battle-hardened soldiers tried to recover some semblance of normalcy that Christmas Eve. No one knows exactly who began to sing, but troops started to voice the melody of "Silent Night, Holy Night." The tune echoed over the barren war zone as a December chill filled the air and as snow gently began to fall. The song may have started in English or German, but the familiar lines gripped the hearts of soldiers on both sides:
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Suddenly the soldiers could hear the song coming from the trenches across enemy lines.
Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!
Then the miraculous happened. To this day, they call it the Christmas Truce. Soldiers from both sides emerged from the trenches. They called out "Merry Christmas!" in each other's languages. Their weapons were laid aside. They approached each other and shook hands. Still singing; they began to exchange gifts-sharing a tin of candies from home, a cigarette, or showing each other a photo of loved ones. Some soldiers even joined in a friendly game of soccer.
The gunfire stopped. Enemies huddled together in friendship and faith. A glimmer of hope and peace from above invaded the battlefield that miraculous Christmas morning.
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth
What happened that strange and beautiful night? Why did the fighting stop? I'll tell you why: something better was available to those soldiers. Something more compelling was present. It was much more than what they had during those violent and lonely moments. Overtaking their focus on victory or vengeance, harm and hatred, there came a sudden sense of complete contentment. In those miraculous moments, those soldiers needed nothing. They were at peace. They could stop and trust the Good News of great joy that once sent shepherds running with glee and caused Wise Men from the east to scour the countryside. It was the relief and joy and absolute serenity of the presence of the One and only saving Son of God. It was Jesus, the Word made flesh Who made His dwelling among us, among them. That night, the soldiers needed nothing. There was no striving. There were no scores to settle. Instead, they overflowed with blessing as the fullness of Christmas overtook them.
Peace on earth, goodwill to men. That's the refrain Christmas brings you and me even today. Don't you wish it took hold like that Christmas Truce did? But our reality doesn't seem that much different than theirs. We live in a time now with serious division and discord, don't we?
Political divisions bring about caustic debates and crushing violence. Racial divisions erode trust and evoke deep hurt. Economic divisions crush the poor and exacerbate greed. Religious divisions foster disunity, suspicion, and hatred.
Can there ever really be peace on earth? In nations and in neighborhoods threats and fear abound. Around the world terrorism tyrannizes communities. In personal relationships, bullying, control, and violence destroy lives and spirits.
Even as Christmas approaches, frustration levels skyrocket as traffic, parking, shopping, and crowds increase stress and tension. Can there ever be peace on earth?
During this time of year, we hear a promise that seems even more impossible. Perhaps you've heard these words from the Bible. They are in Matthew, chapter one. It is the account of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. Listen to the true story of that first Christmas. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Did you hear the Good News? The One called "The Prince of Peace" will draw close and change everything. Jesus, God with us, will come to bring true peace.
You heard the impact it had on Joseph. Just think about it. What happened to his fear, his sadness, and anxiety when that angel brought him the news of a Savior? All of that anxiety receded into the background. We hear Matthew tell us that instead of divorcing Mary and moving on to an uncertain future, Joseph moved forward. The text said: "When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus" (Matthew 1:24-25).
What could cause Joseph to change so dramatically? What could calm his fears, end his focus on himself, redirect him from sadness and disappointment, and put an end to his anger? What could have that kind of impact?
I'll tell you. It is summed up in the word "enough." That's right, that simple word "enough," contentment.
Those soldiers on Christmas in 1914 experienced true contentment. Something beyond themselves overtook them and filled them up to overflowing. They needed nothing else. They were not afraid. They shared. They had had enough of the world's emptiness. They now had enough; the sufficient love of God in the midst of it all, with that being enough; they blessed others.
Joseph received that gift of peace. Something miraculous overtook him. It filled him up, satisfied him, and stopped the worries. What did that? It was the very promise of the birth of Jesus, God with us. Even the promise of Jesus was enough.
I hope you realize today the Christmas gift that only Jesus can give you. He was born to erase your mistakes by living a perfect life in your stead. He lived to carry your burdens and pain-all of your failures and foul-ups. He died to suffer the crushing load of this broken life in your place and to pay for the consequences of every ounce of the harm you have caused. Jesus forgives you and that's enough. Jesus restores your soul and spirit, that's enough. Jesus makes sure you are never alone. He gives you peace-peace that lasts forever.
He later promised that very thing to the disciples who followed Him, who put their faith in Him. He said this, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27). And Jesus doesn't just promise that, He provides real peace. It His peace and it lasts-in fact, it is the only peace that lasts because it is a peace that even death cannot steal away from those who trust in Him.
The Bible is clear. Your life is eternal, but in Christ, it is an eternal life of peace and joy. Why, because His life, death, and resurrection for you are the foundation for peace in your life. It is one that removes your worries about what awaits you after death. It is one that gifts you with a forgiveness that only God could earn on your behalf, one that overcomes your failures and shortcomings, and calls you to live life in His power and strength alone. Jesus gives you peace that lasts-the only peace that lasts. He is enough. You don't need to worry. You don't need to strive. You don't need to prove yourself because Jesus is enough in you and for you. And that is the key to real lasting peace on earth: Jesus, God with us.
When you have everything you need, there is no reason to strive for more just to have more. You strive for excellence with a whole different purpose...to give God glory, to serve others in His Name. There is no reason to pull yourself up by pushing others down. There is no reason for anger or control. In the abundance of knowing Christ by faith, you overflow with His grace, you overflow with His peace. That's just how it is.
The Apostle Paul put it this way, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And then he says it again, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).
Did you hear how peace overtakes you and guards your heart and mind? That's when the Lord is near. It's when you can dialog with Him in prayer. It's when you can rejoice in Jesus. When you are filled with His grace, you overflow with His peace.
What if you stopped trying to make Christmas perfect? What if, at some point during this Advent season, you just simply said, "Enough. I'm content"? What if you stepped out of the trenches of your Christmas to-do list and rested in the grace of God and His Son, Jesus our Savior? What if you took a deep breath and let God's Word fill you and the love of Jesus flow through you before you began to tackle every Christmas task? Do you think you would experience a little more peace?
What if our world understood the overflowing grace of God in Jesus, the blessing of forgiveness, and the powerful impact of compassion in His Name? What if the world said, "In Jesus, we have enough!" and began to receive and to share the love it had been shown through the sacrifice of God's one and only Son?
Peace would take hold, wouldn't it? There would be no need to dominate or to hate. People could finally say, "Enough." The striving of crime, corruption, and control could stop. The quest to overpower and over-talk could be quieted. The need to self-justify and self-promote could cease. In Christ, people would finally experience fulfillment, contentment, and peace. Christmas would be a celebration of real love and giving.
You may be saying to yourself, "Pastor, you're dreaming! That's impossible! Peace like that is not going to happen."
I agree that perfect peace will never be fully experienced here on earth. In fact, Jesus told us that. We need to wait for its fullness when He returns and restores everything. But you can live in the reality of that peace right now; no matter what your circumstance. It can prevail in your life. It can shine through your life to those you love and cherish you. Even in the malls, on the crazy roads of holiday chaos, people can see that you are saying, "I've got enough in Jesus!" They can bask in the glow of your contentment in Jesus in the midst of it all. Let me tell you, that kind of life makes a difference to others.
Christmas makes a simple statement. Jesus, the very Son of God, the Creator of the universe, He made His home among us through a Virgin, in a manger, under a star one very special day 2000 years ago. And, He still makes His home among us as He lives in you by faith. Peace that lasts may not be complete this side of heaven, but it can be received in Him by faith. It can be demonstrated to others in living life graciously in Him for them.
The Apostle Paul was very open to that kind of peace when he said, "No matter what happens in life-in want or in plenty-I know the secret of being content. It is Jesus Christ who gives me strength."
So, let me challenge you this week. As Christmas approaches, will you stop for a moment? Will you slow down? Will you hear the Word of God? Will you receive His peace that lasts? Will you let the grace of God counteract the tendency you may have to become frantic, stressed, grouchy? Will you let the peace of Jesus Christ take hold in your life and shine through you this Christmas?
Maybe you need to pick up the Bible and read the Good News of great joy in Luke, chapters one and two again. Perhaps you need to visit a church again, hear God's Word and receive the presence of Jesus in the Lord's Supper. Instead of the voices of the Christmas frenzy, you may need the still and quiet voice of God who is with you filling you with His peace that lasts.
God is calling you right now. Joseph was delivered from his gloom and hopelessness with the news of Jesus, the Savior, God with us. He was given peace in the midst of fear and uncertainty. That gift is here for you, too. There is no need for you to stay in the darkness of discontent. You don't need to linger in the shadows of stress and striving. No longer do you need to dwell in the place of peacelessness and problems. Today, because God is with you in Jesus Christ-the One Who was born to save you-you, by faith, walk in the light of the Lord, in the light of Jesus Who gives you His new life.
Will you walk this way? Do you want to? The world and the daily grind of your life will not necessarily become problem free. No, in this world we will still have our day to day troubles, but Christ has overcome the world. And, by faith, the peace that is beyond your understanding will guard your heart and mind. It will fill you. It is real because Jesus Christ is real. He is the ultimate Gift this Christmas season. And with faith in Him, He will give you a peace that lasts, now and forever!
Amen.
Action in Ministry for December 18, 2016
Guest: Dr. Jeff Oschwald
ANNOUNCER: You're listening to The Lutheran Hour and this is Action In Ministry; a call to action in response to all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Right now we want to continue talking about Joseph. It's the remarkable story of an ordinary man facing an extraordinary situation.
SELTZ: Yeah, in the grace of God. Mark, Joseph struggled too, in spite of all the good things that were happening around him, we can relate to his fear, his uncertainty. When we consider, also in our own lives, the lack of peace in our world or what's happening in our lives as well.
ANNOUNCER: We have a video resource for you titled Joseph: Carpenter of Steel that tells us more about this part of the Christmas story. Joining us to talk about that is Dr. Jeff Oschwald who is the chairman of the exegetical theology department at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He's going to help us dig more into the life of Joseph and help us to understand how his story matters to us.
SELTZ: Dr. Oschwald, thanks for joining us today.
OSCHWALD: Very happy to be here.
SELTZ: Jeff, the Bible says that Joseph, in this Christmas story, the earthly foster father of Jesus; he was a carpenter by trade. Now, what does that tell us about them and how would it compare to what we would expect a carpenter to be today?
OSCHWALD: Remember that we don't find out that Joseph was a carpenter until much later; years after the Christmas story. And then it's a reference to Jesus as Son of a carpenter; so it's more about His character than it is about Joseph's.
SELTZ: Wow! Okay, actually what we do know about Joseph, he's a man's man, right?
OSCHWALD: Yes, indeed.
SELTZ: Okay. So what do we learn about him in this story that's compelling, then?
OSCHWALD: Beyond the carpenter idea, which Dr. Meyer fills out very nicely for us in the Bible Study, we learn what's more important actually for the Christmas story itself; that Joseph is a son of David. As the Christmas story begins, as the whole New Testament story begins, we find one king ruling over God's people who was no son of David at all. That's Herod. Next to him we see a very humble, noble, faithful, righteous man, and that's Joseph, a true son of David. For the story, Joseph serves as this concrete connection between the child who is about to be born and the whole history of covenant and promise that connects God to His people.
SELTZ: It just shows how God does things completely opposite of what we would think. We would have thought King Herod was the big deal, we find out in the Bible story and from God's point of view, it's a man like Joseph.
OSCHWALD: Right.
SELTZ: From the time Joseph was engaged to Mary, though, he encountered a number of challenges. One of his biggest challenges, though, was that Mary became pregnant before they were married. Tell us the ramifications of this at that time and how Joseph responded.
OSCHWALD: Engagement and marriage in those days was not very much like it is today in our world at all.
SELTZ: Not at all.
OSCHWALD: Unfaithfulness on the part Mary left Joseph only one legal option. She had to be divorced. Now remember that Joseph may not have even known Mary very well at this point; especially if the marriage was an arranged one. So what reason would he have had to trust her especially with such an incredible story? Now if Joseph had gone ahead and married her, it likely would have brought lasting shame to everyone involved; both the families and Mary and Joseph themselves. Most people would have regarded Joseph's marrying her probably as his admission that he was, in fact, the father of this child to be born out of wedlock. Now Matthew, in his Gospel, tells us that Joseph was a righteous man; that is, he wanted to make things right. And pretending that nothing wrong had happened would not have made things right. Even then, though, he could still show compassion to this woman. So a private severing of that legal bond of engagement would have been the best choice given who Joseph was and what he knew at that time.
ANNOUNCER: An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and assures him that Mary has not been unfaithful. This child has been conceived by the Holy Spirit and it's okay for Joseph to go ahead with the marriage. Did things go smoothly after that?
OSCHWALD: Almost certainly not. Do things ever go smoothly after a child is born? The evangelists don't really focus on that, of course. But keep in mind that those revelations to Mary and Joseph were very private matters and nothing would have changed for the townspeople of Nazareth. For them it would still have been just the word of a simple carpenter against the much easier to believe rumors that were flying around. Mary and Joseph valued the honor of this Child more than their own. So they don't try to hide Mary's pregnancy. They don't try to cover it up or pretend that the Child really is Joseph's. In fact, they don't consummate their own relationship as husband and wife until after this Child is born. Of course, I don't think any of us could imagine what it would be like to raise a sinless child; to have a perfect Son in a house full of sinful parents, sinful brothers, and sinful sisters. Then, remember that immediate flight to Egypt just to keep this Child alive. How did they live on that journey and how did Joseph reestablish himself as a carpenter when he returns to Nazareth after abandoning his customers for so long? Now it certainly couldn't have been easy for this young family and yet what peace and joy they must have known watching this Child grow to be a Man.
SELTZ: It is amazing because you can see in the story that it's all about Jesus and they are willing to risk everything to be faithful to this Christ Child. Like you just said, Joseph had to deal with all of those things; but they were dealing with it in the certainty that this Child was unique. This Child was special and like you were going to share with us too that they got a chance to glimpse it up front and close and personal. So what do we really take then from this Joseph story? He handled these struggles so amazingly, so what does that mean for those of us following Christ and trusting in Christ today?
OSCHWALD: In his commentary on Matthew, New Testament scholar Craig Keener writes: "Matthew invites his audience to learn from Joseph's character about fidelity, discipline, and preferring God's honor above one's own." I think that summarizes Joseph very well. But we do need to add and to reinforce the point you just mentioned, that God brought Joseph into this amazing story of His plan of salvation for the whole world. The things that Joseph must have seen is hard to imagine; but you and I have been brought into that same story of God's salvation and we too are privileged to witness the wonders of God's power of salvation at work. Finally, we can't emphasize enough that we, like Joseph, need to remember that this is Jesus' story and that's the story we want the whole world to hear.
ANNOUNCER: It's a fascinating subject and this video resource, Joseph, Carpenter of Steel, is hosted by Pastor Seltz and it has a wealth of insight, features commentary by one of the great Bible scholars and historians of our day, Dr. Paul Maier, and you'll hear some of what we've been discussing but so much more.
SELTZ: Mark, I enjoy being a part of this wonderful resource, as you just said, and what a great discussion we've had today with you, Dr. Oschwald. God did give Joseph a big task to be the earthly father of our Savior; but this story, like you've said, it's about Jesus Christ and what hope we have in Him; how that can literally bring hope and joy into the middle of whatever circumstance and equip us to take up any challenge because we are His people. That brings us real peace, Christmas peace as well. Dr. Oschwald, thank you for joining us today.
OSCHWALD: Thank you for having me.
SELTZ: That's our Action In Ministry segment today; to bless, to empower, and to strengthen your life in Christ for others.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for December 18, 2016
Topic: It's the time of year for visiting with family, but, to be honest, I don't like some members of the family. How can I get along with people I'm not that fond of?
ANNOUNCER: Now Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions. I'm Mark Eischer and today one of our listeners asks, "It's the time of year for visiting with family, but, to be honest, I don't like some members of the family. How can I get along with people I'm not that fond of?"
SELTZ: We're getting close to Christmas, Mark, and this is a question that gets to the heart of some holiday struggles.
ANNOUNCER: This is a good example of how life is not easy, but God's Word doesn't shy away from the difficult issues.
SELTZ: That's right on, Mark. In fact, that's one of the many things that I appreciate about God's Word. The Bible puts real life on display and is honest about our struggles, sins, and flaws. But it also gives us God's real hope in the midst of our human mess.
ANNOUNCER: What would you say to our listener about getting along with his family?
SELTZ: There are several options we might want to pursue, Mark. We could avoid people we don't like. We can fight with people we don't care for. We can be sneaky and play games with people who rub us the wrong way. But those methods only cause more discord in relationships and difficulty within ourselves. There is only one way to deal effectively with a people problem and that is to show the same kind of love to them that God has given to you.
ANNOUNCER: How in the world can you show love to someone you don't like?
SELTZ: That's why I said show what you've received! Think about how God treats you. "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
ANNOUNCER: In other words, we are not very likeable to Him.
SELTZ: Well said. In our flawed and fallen sinful condition, we offend God every moment with our self-centeredness and rebellion. But even in our unlikableness, God sent His Son to die for us and save us from being eternally lost and broken. The Apostle John said, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10 NIV).
ANNOUNCER: And that love humbles us and changes us doesn't it?
SELTZ: That's exactly what John said next: "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11 NIV).
ANNOUNCER: Tell me what that love looks like when you have to sit at the same table or stand in the same room with someone you can't stand.
SELTZ: It doesn't mean putting on a show, Mark. You don't have to fake a smile or make a big fuss as if you're thrilled to see the person.
ANNOUNCER: It also doesn't mean that you throw away healthy boundaries or let someone walk all over you.
SELTZ: Right. What it means is that in your heart, filled with God's love and grace, you wish the other person well. You live as a person of goodwill and as a peacemaker. You watch for opportunities to bring the person God's grace. Sometimes it may mean just being quiet.
ANNOUNCER: That can be both difficult and exhausting.
SELTZ: Christmas is not for the faint of heart, Mark. For that matter, following Jesus is not for the faint of heart. We are called to follow in Jesus' steps. This means setting the tone of constructive love. It means not starting trouble or verbally destroying someone after the party is over. The big question for a follower of Jesus is: how can we show God's love to the people in our lives-especially the people who are most difficult to love? Can you imagine if everyone tried to do this during the holiday season?
ANNOUNCER: What if our listeners respond by saying, "That's all you've got? Love? It seems like a cliché."
SELTZ: Our love is a cliché, I agree; but I'm talking about God's love in Jesus Christ. That love is a precious gift and a challenging calling. Love isn't merely a feeling; it's an intentional action of self-sacrifice to care about someone and build them up.
ANNOUNCER: Sometimes it involves tough love, but it always involves wishing someone well.
SELTZ: The way of Christ. It excludes vengeance and pettiness and it always blesses people. God's love works wonders. Receive it! Then I would recommend that everyone listening tries it out. Ask God to fill you with His love so you can, in turn, show love to people in your life-even the ones you don't like that much. With God's love in us, His love will show through us.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Seltz. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music Selections for this program:
"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)
"Comfort, Comfort Ye My People" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)
