And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Col 1:20

Some of my fondest memories of church are when the people would stand, sing, and worship together. The congregational hymns allowed the people of God to sing praises unto Him, proclaim His presence, and possess His promises. The words of one particular hymn that seem to stir hearts and invoke joyful praise and adoration were the words that sang “There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r, in the precious blood of the Lamb” (Baptist Hymnal #132). The people of God seemed to sing with more gusto and loudly proclaim the personal testimony of these words that expressed the salvation and redemption that dwelt in their hearts and souls. It was as though they were saying “let the redeemed of the LORD say so” (Ps 107:2). The scripture passage reminds us that we enjoy the peace of God and peace with God by Jesus Christ who “having made peace through His cross…to reconcile all things unto Himself.” The Prince of Peace came into the world to reconcile with God the payment for all sin, for all eternity. Through the shed blood of Christ, God was willing to deal with men on new terms under a covenant of grace, and for the sake of Christ, and His death upon the cross, to pardon and accept all who believe in Him. Jesus “made peace through His cross” and in the words of the song writer “sins stains are lost in its life-giving flow. There is wonderful pow’r in the blood.” Dear friend, it seems appropriate that the shepherds are the first to visit “the Babe lying in a manger” (Lk 2:16) for He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). Jesus was born into the world that “by Him to reconcile all things to Himself.” My friend, do you know the wonder working power that “made peace through the blood of His cross?” That is Christmas. That is God’s peace on earth through His Son, the Prince of Peace, “Immanuel, God with us” (Mt 1:23). That is peace and goodwill to all men (Lk 2:14). Father, thank You for Your love and the peace that You made through the shed blood of Your Son. We glorify and praise You for all Your wondrous work and the wonder working power of His blood. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen