Daily Bible Reading 27th March 2026 // Luke 2:8-20
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Putting God at the centre, putting Him first, makes for harmony and peace on earth. Peace is always associated with allowing God His rightful place. It is when we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1 - i.e. when we take our proper place of submission to God) that we have peace with God. It is when our minds are stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3 - i.e. when rightly related to Him) that we are kept in perfect peace. It is when we hearken to His commandments (Isaiah 48:18 - i.e. when He has His rightful place in our lives) that we know peace like a river attending our way. But - peace on earth? This is not yet a fact; but the words are a prophecy. The best part of Christmas has not happened yet. In the meantime, He offers peace; when He comes the second time, He will enforce it!
How is the peace achieved? Well, the gospel is God's good will toward men. It is God saying, 'For a small moment I have hid My face from thee; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee' (Isaiah 54:9). It is God's olive branch stretched out to man, His hand of friendship and love. 'While we were enemies, God reconciled us to Himself in the death of His Son'. 'This is the covenant I will make with them... I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more'. That is the extent and measure of God's goodwill towards man, that is what He is willing to do - nay, has done - and what He offers. And the sign and seal of this covenant and good will is - the Babe! 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…'