Peace on earth?

North Korea calls its South Korean neighbors "mean" for putting Christmas lights near the border. It is not surprising that, after the social engineers in Pyongyang have failed to provide enough electricity for heating and cooking to their people, such an act of conspicuous consumption from the "capitalist pigs" next door could be interpreted as "psychological warfare." And we should not be surprised by the war on Christmas fought by thousands of ACLU Grinches. Christ has been the most offensive man on the face of the earth, and the cross has brought more divisions than any idea in history.

About 2,000 years ago, angels sang the first carol. With the words: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14), the heavens proclaimed the birth of a very special baby. The Apostle John calls Him "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14), noting how the world did not recognize Him as God's most precious gift to mankind and that even His chosen people "did not receive Him" (John 1:11). The Apostle Peter refers to Him as "a rock of offense" (1 Peter 2:8), and we see how often even people who call themselves by His name stumble on His message.

The Lord Jesus Christ warns us against following false prophets who come "in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Some of those preachers have misled millions into thinking that Christianity is nothing more than a progressive social doctrine. Misunderstanding the consequences of sin, they futilely labor to change human nature through education. Misrepresenting the gospel message, they want you to believe that teaching the right values can bring Christians and Muslims, pagans and atheists to a table for some vegetarian feasting and interfaith singing of "Kumbaya."

"I come not to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34), says Christ. Rather than a call to the faithful to slaughter the infidels, it is a simple reminder that a world living in sin is doomed to fight constant wars. "There is no peace for the wicked," warned an Old Testament prophet (Isaiah 48:22). Indeed, the whole history of mankind stands as a testimony that without the complete eradication of sin, we will continue to kill each other with words and swords. But there is good news: Christ has conquered sin and death at the cross, and you and I can have His peace through repentance.

"I am the light of the world" (John 9), says Jesus while handing you His sword. Let us pierce the sin in our hearts on it and sit at His table. Merry Christmas.