Retelling an ancient story

Let us listen again to Luke's description of the blessed birth which changed the course of history. "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord."

The biblical writer goes on to report:

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."

More than 2,000 years later, the world's most magnificent story still rings to all edges of the earth.

No, we have not achieved peace ... far from it. We still argue and fight and kill. Now, as in Biblical days, too many of us want our way; no matter what the cost in human suffering.

But the beauty of the Christmas story is that each year our hope is renewed. Through the birth of Christ, man was reconciled with God. In His years on earth, Christ provided us with a pathway to peace -- with God, as father, and with one another, if we can just hear again, and apply, his commandment to love one another.

The manger scene, replayed last night at the North Sale Barn in McCook, evokes the peaceful images related in Luke. It is a quiet scene of hushed awe as a teen-aged mother cradles a newborn son, one who is heralded as king. Could that teen-aged mother fully grasp the life she held, the gift her son was and is to all who believe?

More than 2,000 years later, the magnitude of the gift continues to unfold, not only in individual lives but in the lives of communities, states and nations.

For in the name of the baby king born that day, the poor are fed, the naked clothed, the hurting and sick are healed.

Not everywhere -- not yet -- but the pathway of peace remains. It is a pathway open to all who will follow the life of the baby born a king, from this the scene of his birth, through to his death and then beyond, into life everlasting.

Enjoy the revealed magnitude of the gift as we celebrate the anniversary of the giving, and pursue still the pathway to peace, good will toward men.