“To Those With Whom God Is Pleased”. What does that mean, and where does it come from? I’m glad you asked.

The passage comes from the Christmas story as told in the Gospel of Luke. Specifically, it is from Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” It is also what the angels said to the shepherds. I think many have focused on the “peace on earth” part, but did we notice “with whom God is pleased”? We all want peace in some form or another, perhaps in our world, our home, or even with loved ones. We have heard that Jesus came to bring peace, but did he? This is what Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Doesn’t sound like peace to me, does it to you? 

The peace spoken of in this passage has a direct bearing on who God is pleased with. Perhaps you’re thinking, but isn’t God about love? The answer is an astounding YES! So let me put it another way. I love my children, but I am not always pleased with them. You see, love is unconditional, but being pleased is not. That’s the part we often miss.

Think of it like a gift card. Perhaps you get a gift card for Christmas. The gift has been given, and you have it, but the gift isn’t the card. The gift is what’s in the card or its value. If you put it in a drawer, you’re not experiencing the gift. Every year, I get a gift card from my granddaughter for a particular coffee shop, and every year I put it on my dresser because that coffee shop isn’t where I live. This year, I shared that I can use it because the coffee shop is now in the town where I live. Her response was joy. Why? Because I gave her pleasure by using the gift she had given me. And I, well, I’m sitting here enjoying that cup of coffee she has provided, and I have peace. The gift has been given. It’s up to you to utilize it. Think about it.