21 DECEMBER

 

Peace on earth

Reading: Luke 2:1-7

“The time came for her baby to be born.”

Every Christmas, from the time I was 8 years old, our local TV station would screen the “Claymation” production of The Little Drummer Boy. Of all the Christmas programs shown each year, this was my favourite and to this day it still holds a special place in my heart. Even now – not every Christmas, mind you – I will dust off my DVD copy and watch it again, still touched by the story that so moved me as a little boy.

Based on the famous Christmas Carol, it recounts the story of Aaron, a young Jewish boy who is given a drum by his parents as a birthday present. Aaron is delighted and plays for the farm animals as often as he can. Then one night, he is orphaned when bandits destroy his home and murder his parents. Now homeless, Aaron’s bitterness drives him away from all contact with people and he lives alone with the only companions he trusts, a lamb, a donkey, and a camel.

As the story unfolds, Aaron’s hatred towards people intensifies until he experiences another tragedy which forces him to decide – will he continue in his bitterness and hate, or will he risk loving and trusting again?

(If you want to know how the story finishes, and where Jesus and the Carol fit in, watch the whole program on Youtube!)

At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Roman Empire had given the world the Pax Romana – the Roman Peace. This peace began under the reign of Augustus, continuing for 200 years and enabling people everywhere to live in relative peace and security. But as one philosopher of the period noted, while there was outward peace, the emperor could not provide the human heart with its greatest longing – inner peace.

Although the world didn’t recognize it when Jesus was born, He brought “peace on earth” for every heart filled with grief, hurt, guilt, shame, and fear.

And He will bring peace to your troubled heart as well if you open it to Him.

“Peace on earth…”

Look up “The Little Drummer Boy” (produced by Rankin and Bass) on Youtube and watch it together as a family. It’s only 25 minutes, break out the popcorn and enjoy the wonder of the story!