Ephesians 2:17 - Glad tidings!

"...and having come He evangelized peace to you [all] to the [ones] far and to the [ones] near."

-Paul here quotes Is 57.19, but the whole section is tremendous (Is 57.15-21): 

For thus says the high and exalted One 

Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, 

“I dwell on a high and holy place, 

And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit 

In order to revive the spirit of the lowly 

And to revive the heart of the contrite. 

“For I will not contend forever, 

Nor will I always be angry; 

For the spirit would grow faint before Me, 

And the breath of those whom I have made. 

“Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; 

I hid My face and was angry, 

And he went on turning away, in the way of his heart. 

“I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; 

I will lead him and crestore comfort to him and to his mourners, 

Creating the praise of the lips. 

Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near,” 

Says the LORD, “and I will heal him.” 

But the wicked are like the tossing sea, 

For it cannot be quiet, 

And its waters toss up refuse and mud. 

“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” 

-No, there is no peace for the wicked, they know no true peace, but this Evangel, the Good News which Christ came to proclaim and procure is all about peace - peace not only between God and man but also peace between these two disparate groups - Jew and Gentile.  Peace with God, and peace on earth - this is the message of the Advent, is it not, the Coming of the Promised Peacemaker whose birth was announced by a mighty chorus of angels?  Shalom, lasting, everlasting peace and overall well-being to those who have been near to the life and promises and blessings of God, AND also peace to those who are far from Him.  They are far away both religiously, and also geographically, as we are talking about the entire earth to the ends of the earth, to the distant islands, to places and peoples who have never heard, who need to know the Way of peace.  Peace, peace - peace today, in this moment, and forever.  Glad tidings of comfort and joy for those in desperate need of peace, whose hearts and spirits are sorrowful and humble, creating lips overflowing with praise, all peoples united in one group, one body in a great chorus of praise to this One Who is high and exalted...!