In 1971 John Lennon composed what would be the number one song of his solo career. The lyrics encourage the listener to imagine a world living in perfect peace. Peace brought about without the barriers of national borders or divisions caused by religion and nationalities, and to consider the possibility that the focus of humanity should be living a life unattached to material possessions. Maybe you know the lyrics.

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in Peace…

Sadly many people today still think that the way to peace is through the philosophy and worldview behind these words.  No heaven, no hell, no religion. Lennon paints a picture that the world would be a better place, a peaceful place if we could just get rid of what he believes divides us. But peace isn’t in the absence of those things. The message of the gospel, the message of Christmas is that we can have peace in the midst of and in spite of those things. It is the brotherhood of man that has created governments, economic greed, hunger. It is man’s sin that brought a lack of peace to this world. Now God is desiring to restore peace. When shepherds were out in the cold winter night watching their flocks, a multitude of angels from heaven broke through the dark sky, lit up the whole area and shared a drastically different message. 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The belief that peace can be achieved if we could rid the world of politics, economics and religion is a false belief. John Lennon truly was a dreamer. Imagining away the very thing that brings peace. Sure the world’s politics and many of the greed driven economic systems and even the world’s religions are many times a source of grief and hardship. But that is just proof that peace, true peace, must come from somewhere beyond man made systems, man made philosophies. True peace resides in the person of Jesus. Jesus came that we might have peace. Peace with God and peace with one another. That the world might experience true peace. Our way to peace is through faith in Jesus. We don’t have to imagine it or dream about it. 
Jesus’ own words on the night he was betrayed, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27
Or Paul’s words to the Ephesian believers, “For He himself is out peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..” Ephesians 2:14
Or Paul’s words to the believers in Rome, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Liord Jesus Christ.”

Let’s try it again…
Imagine only Christmas
It’s easy if you try
Jesus coming for us
A baby sent to die
Imagine all the people
Praising God today

Imagine heaven’s Savior
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to fear or hide from
Love and forgiveness too
Imagine all the people
Living a life of peace

This season, let us join the shepherds and spread the word concerning what has been told us about this child. Jesus, the Prince of Peace!

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tiding, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”  Isaiah 52:7