Joy to the World

This time each year in print publications, broadcast outlets, and online, the pundits wax eloquently about the meaning of Christmas. Focusing on the angel’s words to the shepherds, these commentators invariably land at one and the same spot. The meaning of Christmas, they declare, is the hope for peace on Earth. Dear friends, if we could attain peace on Earth this Christmas season, then that would indeed be something to rejoice over. But as we look around, we see little evidence of peace on Earth. Instead we see strife, and discord, and conflict, and dissension. Our pundit friends often miss the real meaning of Christmas, because they skip over the heart of the angel’s message. The angel said: Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And why should this be the subject of our rejoicing?