Imagine if you were one of the shepherds tending your flock of sheep on the hills outside the town of Bethlehem.  It had been a typical day of long hours and hard work and you were ready to settle down for a night of well-deserved rest, when suddenly an angel appeared out of nowhere to tell you, “There is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”  Then, an army of angels appeared proclaiming “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2). 

The antithesis of peace and goodwill is war and malice, which pretty much describes the world we live in today.  Consider the constant threat of war in the Middle East, the political unrest in Europe, Central America, South America, and in our own country.  The need for peace and goodwill is as great today as it has ever been, and was precisely the reason Jesus was born. 

Peace comes when we ask God to forgive our sins.  The sin is removed, a personal and intimate relationship with Him is established immediately, enabling us to enjoy peace with our own conscience and with our neighbor.  This is the message of Christmas. 

Let’s sing: “Joy to the world the Lord has come…”