When Peace Breaks Out

Welcome to this Christmas Eve edition of Our Daily Bread.

Today's reading, titled When Peace Breaks Out, was written by James Banks. On a cold Christmas Eve in Belgium in 1914, the sound of singing floated from the trenches where soldiers were dug in. Strains of the carol Silent Night rang out in German and then in English. Soldiers who earlier in the day had been shooting at each other laid down their weapons and emerged from their trenches to shake hands in the no man's land between them, exchanging Christmas greetings and spontaneous gifts from their rations.

The ceasefire continued through the next day as the soldiers talked and laughed and even organized soccer matches together. The Christmas Truce of 1914 that occurred along World War I's Western Front offered a brief glimpse of the peace the angels proclaimed on the first Christmas long ago. An angel spoke to terrified shepherds with these reassuring words recorded in Luke chapter 2.

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. Then a multitude of angels appeared, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Jesus is the Prince of Peace who saves us from our sins. Through his sacrifice on the cross, he offers forgiveness and peace with God to all who trust in him. Let's hear today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading from Luke chapter 2 verses 8 through 20.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherd said to one another, Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told. Now let's pray. O Heavenly Father, this world is filled with so much turmoil, so we pray that your peace would fall as the entire world reflects on the birth of your Son. We pray that you would bring true peace to the world, uniting us in Christ. Make us instruments of your peace, Lord, this Christmas, and use us to proclaim your love and forgiveness to all who will hear. Thank you, Lord. It is in your precious Son's name that we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries. Merry Christmas.