The Birthday of Peace

What does it mean to have peace with God?

By Pope St. Leo the Great

Pope St. Leo the Great (d. 461) was a Doctor of the Church who was instrumental in clarifying the Church's doctrine of the Incarnation. This excerpt comes from his "Sermons on the Nativity."

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!" (Lk 2:14). In the treasures of the Lord's bounty, what subject for preaching can we find so suitable to the honor of the feast of Christmas as peace -which at the Lord's nativity was first proclaimed by the angel choir?

It is peace that brings forth the sons of God. Peace is the nurse of love and the mother of unity, the rest of the blessed, and our eternal home.

The proper work and special role of peace is to join to God those whom it removes from the world. For that reason the apostle Paul urges us to this good purpose when he says, "Therefore, being justified by faith, let us have peace with God" (Rom 5:1). In this brief sentence are summed up nearly all the commandments, for where true peace is, there can be no lack of virtue.

What Is Peace With God?

But what is it, dearly beloved, to have peace with God, except to will what He bids, and not to will what He forbids?

Consider: In human friendships, we seek out those with a soul like our own and with desires similar to ours. Among human acquaintances, even a difference in personal habits can prevent people from having full harmony with one another.

In that light, think of our relationship with God. How can we be partakers of divine peace if we are pleased with what displeases God, and we seek pleasure from what we know to be offensive to God?

Such a spirit is not the spirit of the children of God. Such an attitude is not acceptable to the noble family of those adopted by God. This chosen and royal race (see 1 Pt 2:9) must live up to the dignity of its rebirth, must love what the Father loves, and in nothing disagree with its Maker.

We know indeed, as the apostle John says, that "the whole world is under the power of the evil one" (1 Jn 5:19), and that by the strategies of the devil and his angels numerous attempts are made either to frighten us by adversity in our struggle or to spoil us by prosperity. But greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (see 1 Jn 4:4). And those who have peace with God, who are always saying to the Father with their whole hearts, "Your will be done" (Mt 6:10), can be overcome in no battles, can be hurt by no assaults.

No doubt when we confess our sin and refuse to allow our spirit to consent to fleshly lusts, we stir up against us the enmity of the one who is the author of sin. But at the same time, by accepting God's gracious service, we secure a peace with Him that nothing can destroy. Then, not only can we surrender ourselves in obedience to our King, but we can also be united to Him by our free will. For if we are like-minded with God - if we wish what He wishes, and disapprove what He disapproves - He will grant us peace by finishing all our battles for us.

He who gave us the will, will also give us the power, so that we may be fellow workers in His works (see 1 Cor 3:9). Then, with the exultation of faith, we can utter that prophetic song: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid?" (Ps 27:1).

The Birthday of Peace

The birthday of the Lord is the birthday of peace. As the apostle Paul says: "For He is our peace, He who made [us] both one" (Eph 2:14), since whether we are Jew or Gentile, "through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (v. 18).

This is precisely what Jesus taught His disciples before the day of His passion, a sacrifice that He planned of His own free will. He told them: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" (Jn 14:27). TCA