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The Shepherd Who Brings Peace
In a world marked by conflict and hostility, the Christmas story reveals God's extraordinary mission: to step into no man's land and offer genuine peace to His enemies. This is the profound truth of Luke 2—not merely feelings of tranquility, but a concrete cessation of hostilities between God and humanity.
The Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve 1914, during World War I's unprecedented slaughter, an extraordinary event unfolded. British soldiers heard German troops singing carols across the trenches. Messages of Christmas wishes were shouted between enemies.
The following day, soldiers from both sides left their trenches and met in no man's land—the killing zone where none dared venture. They exchanged gifts, took photographs, and even played impromptu games of soccer.
This temporary truce became known as the Christmas Armistice, where overtures of kindness briefly replaced bloodshed. But peace only became real when one soldier stepped forward into no man's land, physically presenting himself with genuine overtures of peace. It was a powerful historic moment that illustrates an even more profound truth.
God Steps Into No Man's Land
The Christmas truce powerfully illustrates Luke 2, where God put Himself forward in His Son Jesus to make overtures of peace. Jesus Christ stepped into the world, leaving the safety of heaven to present Himself genuinely as an emissary of peace—as a shepherd of peace.
The Roman Peace
Caesar Augustus levied taxes during the Pax Romana—a false peace under a false "god" and king
The Angelic Promise
The angelic host proclaimed real peace through the coming true King
The Divine Contrast
Human empire versus heavenly kingdom—temporary calm versus eternal peace
Peace: The Heart of Christmas
Peace is a key theme woven throughout the Christmas story, reflected in beloved carols like "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night." But this peace is far more than feelings of calm and tranquility—it represents a concrete reality, a genuine cessation of conflict.
"Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
— Zechariah's Song, Luke 1:78-79
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased."
— The Angelic Pronouncement, Luke 2:14
A God at War
Luke 2 takes place in the context of war. A cosmic conflict has raged since the beginning of time. Revelation 12 describes the great angelic war against Satan and his hosts, with the dragon waiting to devour the coming Messiah. When angels appear proclaiming "Glory to God in the highest," it's a battle cry of victory against the backdrop of immense cosmic warfare.
God Dressed for Battle
"He put on righteousness as a breastplate, his helmet of salvation on his head. He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak." — Isaiah 59
The Lord Musters His Host
"The Lord of hosts is mustering a host for battle. They come from a distant land, from the ends of the earth, the Lord and the weapons of his indignation to destroy the whole land." — Isaiah 13
Heaven and Earth Tremble
"I will make the heavens tremble, the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the Lord of hosts in the day of his fierce anger." — Isaiah 13:13
Why Is God at War?
The Day of the Lord
Throughout Scripture, prophets warned of God's coming judgment:
  • Joel: "The day of the Lord is near, as destruction from the Almighty"
  • Obadiah: "The day of the Lord is upon all nations"
  • Zephaniah: "A day of wrath, distress and anguish"
God is on the move against evil and sin. He is not passively ignoring rebellion. His holy character demands war upon wickedness.

Why is God at war with mankind? Ever since the fall in Genesis 3, man has been at war with God. Man is the belligerent, the rebel. Having sided with Satan, we make endless war with God by our sin. God's holy character demands response: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:3).
Micah: A Book of War and Peace
The prophet Micah ministered during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—contemporary with Isaiah. His book alternates between declarations of war and overtures of peace, revealing God's heart for both justice and mercy.
1
Declaration of War
"Behold, the Lord is coming out of his place. He will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth." — Micah 1:3
2
Overture of Peace
"I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob. I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture." — Micah 2:12
3
War Returns
"He will hide his face from them because they have made their deeds evil. Zion shall be plowed as a field." — Micah 3:4, 12
4
Peace Promised
"The mountain of the Lord will be established. Many nations shall come and say, 'Let us go to the mountain of the Lord.'" — Micah 4:1-2
The Promised Shepherd-King
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days... And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace."
— Micah 5:2-5
Born in Bethlehem
Of the city of David, the great shepherd-king of Israel, from the tribe of Judah
From Ancient Days
A pre-existent person—the "Ancient of Days" (Daniel 7:9)—God Himself taking human form
The Good Shepherd
He shall stand and shepherd His flock, bringing the covenant of peace promised in Ezekiel 34
This shepherd-king is both fully human (born in a real city, of a specific tribe) and fully divine (existing from ancient days). He is the Prince of Peace prophesied in Isaiah 9:6—"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
The Shepherd Himself Is Our Peace
Micah 5:5 declares: "He shall be their peace." Not merely that He will accomplish peace, but that His very person IS our peace. This is the Gospel—an offer of peace by God to the enemies of God, at the expense of God, for the blessing of His enemies.
The Condition of Peace
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased." — Luke 2:14
This is not automatic universal peace. It's peace with a particular group—those with whom God is pleased. How do you receive God's favor?
"Without faith it is impossible to please him." — Hebrews 11:6
Faith That Pleases God
  • Believe Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
  • Believe He is God, the Ancient of Days
  • Believe He laid down His life for sinners
  • Believe He died on the cross for you
  • Cast yourself upon His mercy alone
"He is the image of the invisible God... For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." — Colossians 1:15, 19-20
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men
Reconciled by His Blood
Jesus stepped into no man's land, saying "I am your peace"—making peace through the blood of His cross
Once Enemies, Now Beloved
You who were alienated and hostile, enemies doing evil deeds, are now reconciled in His body of flesh
Presented Holy and Blameless
Through His death, He presents you holy and blameless before God—at peace forevermore
If you have trusted in Jesus Christ, you are at peace with God. Nothing can separate you from His love. He promises: "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." This Christmas, rejoice in the peace that lasts for all eternity.
"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." — Micah 7:18-19
Merry Christmas. May you know the peace of the Good Shepherd who came to rescue His sheep.