Tag Archives: Advent

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men – Luke 2:8-20

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This is a re-post of one of my favorite Christmas devotionals.

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, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14, NKJV)

We often sing or say or write this angelic announcement of the Incarnation in our Christmas songs and greetings as if the angels declared the birth of the Messiah brought new conditions to the earth–peace and good will.

We think of “peace” as meaning nations not at war with one another and “good will” as people being kind to one another. Yet we know that on earth nations are at war with one another and human beings showing kindness to other human beings is often lacking.

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Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men – Luke 2:8-20

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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, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14, NKJV)

We often sing or say or write this angelic announcement of the Incarnation in our Christmas songs and greetings as if the angels declared the birth of the Messiah brought new conditions to the earth–peace and good will.

We think of “peace” as meaning nations not at war with one another and “good will” as people being kind to one another. Yet we know that on earth nations are at war with one another and human beings showing kindness to other human beings is often lacking.

Continue reading →

Beyond Logic – A Commentary on Christmas

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The word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14, ESV).

Harry Reasoner was a broadcast journalist for CBS Radio in the early 1960s. He teamed up with Mike Wallce in the 1970s to create the CBS news magazine show, 60 Minutes. He later became anchor of the ABC Evening News, but after two years went back to CBS and 60 Minutes where he remained until he retired. Mr. Reasoner died in 1991.

Reasoner delivered a commentary on Christmas on his early radio program that he later delivered to a national audience on 60 Minutes and then later on ABC Evening News. This commentary has been reprinted many times and in several versions.

During this 2020 Christmas season I would like to share this Christmas commentary from the 20th century broadcast journalist Harry Reasoner:

It’s so revolutionary a thought that it probably could only come from a God that is beyond logic, and beyond theology.”

HARRY REASONER
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A Christmas Story, Sort Of – 2 Chronicles 31:21-22

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nativity_scene“In this way, King Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah, doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God. In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful” (2 Chronicles 31:21-22, NLT).

The reign of King Hezekiah of Judah as described in 2 Chronicles 31 and 32 was distinguished by his zeal to resume Temple worship and adherence to God’s law. As a result of Hezekiah’s devotion and obedience to God’s will, he was successful in everything he did (vs. 32:30).

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