“Peace on earth, good will toward men!”
The anxieties of traveling on a donkey nine months pregnant, there being “no room in the inn,” or even placing the newborn Christ child into an animal’s food trough in a stable were all overshadowed by the angel’s declaration of peace and good will on that first Christmas. The shepherd’s shared and praised, Mary pondered, others marveled at what they had heard: the Messiah is here; the Prince of Peace has come – Truly, peace and good will are now here.
Many of us have read the gospels; we know that Simeon’s words of pain spoken to Mary came true. Words which included: “(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” “Peace on earth, good will toward men” doesn’t negate that there will be times of pain and sorrow, but with it comes hope and blessing for tomorrow.
We can have peace in the midst of our storms; we can trust God to make all things right. Many of our anxieties, like Mary’s, will stem from concern over our children and grandchildren. Our first two Decency Minute scripts this week show good reason why we should have concern for the children of our society and the culture that they’re growing up in. Yet, we needn’t be anxious over them. As both of these Decency Minutes point out, we have a responsibility to be active in their lives. We must teach them restraint, caution them against poor choices, and have active, ongoing, intentional conversations with them. As we do, be sure to introduced them to the meaning of “Peace on earth, good will toward men!” Share with them and their friends that Jesus came “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world’’ (Titus 2:12). Remind them that Christmas is about the Christ “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).
As our third Decency Minute points out, lead them into all praise for and to our Triune God. Encourage them to pass on the Christmas message of “peace on earth, good will to men” through praise and holy living as Scripture calls us to do (I Peter 1:15). Knowing that our children and grandchildren are growing up in an anxiety-producing culture, remind them that we can trade in our anxiety for peace because God cares for us and sent to us the Prince of Peace – Jesus. “Casting all your care (anxiety) upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Because of Jesus, there is “Peace on earth, good will toward men” and that gives us good cause to rejoice and tell others, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King.”
Discerning parents already know that Netflix is not a safe source of entertainment for children.
But even the most informed moms and dads may be surprised at the rate at which the streaming service pumps out perversion in the bright and colorful animation which once signaled innocent entertainment.
According to the non-profit Concerned Women for America (CWA), “41% of G-rated series, and 41% of TV-Y7-rated series on Netflix contain LGBTQ+ content.”
One of CWA’s findings was that, “…‘reboots’ of older series, or later seasons of long running series frequently introduced LGBTQ characters where none existed before.
“In addition to The Magic School Bus, this was observed with Power Rangers, The Baby-Sitter’s Club, She-Ra, and The Fairly OddParents, among others.”
It cannot be over-emphasized: just because it’s a cartoon or because you watched it as a kid, doesn’t mean it’s not polluting your child’s mind.
Don’t Let the Culture Claim Your Children
“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” – wrote Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol.
We delight in the excitement of little ones at Christmas. Yet while our culture portrays an idealized image of the innocence of childhood – reality is a far more sobering picture.
Studies reveal that nearly 40% of children have either sent or received a sexually explicit message by the age of 13. And more than one in ten kids with smart phones will be exposed to sexting by the age of eight.
In our sex saturated culture, where public schools teach children about graphic sex acts, it’s no surprise that children are robbed of their innocence at younger and younger ages.
Parents, you are their only line of defense. Don’t let the culture claim your children.
Meditate on the Doxology this Season
With Thanksgiving a few weeks behind us and Christmas yet a couple weeks to the future, the Doxology is a perfect reminder for the seasons we find ourselves moving between.
Having been reminded to give thanks for all the blessings which God has provided, and looking forward in celebration of the gift of grace, known as the Christ child, to which Isaiah declares: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,” how can we help but reverently join with others and individually raise our voices in adoration:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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