This Christmas carol is always relevant in a fallen world, but this year it seems especially apt:
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men
In despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men”
Christmas isn’t just about God’s love and peace. It’s also about justice. Jesus took on human flesh and came to live among us as one of us so that God could be both just and gracious:
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested…even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
God expressed His wrath against evil on the cross, and He did this so that He could pardon us, showing us mercy without compromising justice. And what of the one who won’t join himself to Jesus to stand before God in His righteousness? God’s expression of wrath on the cross is a picture of the justice that is to come.
Either way, God’s perfect justice will prevail. Every act of evil will be fully punished. God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail. God is the Right. He has prevailed, He does prevail, and He will prevail. His perfect presence sweeps away evil. And because of the coming of Jesus who now stands before God in the place of His people, this is cause for rejoicing, not fear. Take refuge in God’s mercy, united to Christ, and let God’s justice be a comfort to you.
Don’t be afraid to celebrate Christmas this year, even in the midst of national pain. Justice and the victory of the Good One are safe and sure. And that fact outshines any and every evil act.