These words have been proclaimed for twenty centuries, words that have stirred Christian hearts to prayers of praise. The feast of Christmas might seem to celebrate a past event - and, surely it does. For the person of faith, Jesus, is being born NOW in our hearts and in our community. The savior is breaking into our lives through scripture and sacraments, through community and the Spirit's workings in our hearts. When God came in times past and comes among us in the person of Jesus, the grace of peace is offered.
Peace is that deep experience of the rightness of things.
Even though sufferings may abound, if we are right with God, peace is experienced. Peace is shattered by the darkness of a troubled conscience and the rupture of relationshiops. This is a deep joy, one that no surface winds can remove or destroy. In the presence of love, God's love revealed in the person of Jesus, we cannot keep from singing. Here is a joy that is contagious and gracious.