Given the strange year we have experienced the first eleven months, I wonder what our Christmas might bring. By "strange year," I think of the economic, social, and political news that dominate our newspapers, journals, newscasting and many conversations. We need a Christmas and the carols of goodwill and peace.
But we know the bitter reality. How can we not? The news instantaneously travels to inform us of the conflicts and wars around the world. Presently there are wars in 40 countries, according to the World Population Review and the International Crisis Group.
Ever-present is the on-going devastating war between Israel and the Palestinians in which the people of Gaza suffer unspeakable destruction of homes, family life, loved ones, as well as facilities that support life, health, education, spirituality, and the most human of all needs to feel safe, loved, hopeful.
But the news story of wars that seems to top the list is the bizarre war between Ukraine and Russia, pursued by Putin who initiated the conflict in pursuit of what he claims is the rightful territory of Mother Russia, now occupied by Ukraine. While people are dying, the latest diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict appear to proceed like a gathering of brokers bargaining for real estate. Here we see in real time the much publicized "art of the deal," a book and TV show that entertained the public on way to becoming a political movement. And while this "deal-making" with Putin in Russia goes on, people are starving and dying in the wars of at least 38 other countries.
Some of those wars rage to claim or regain territory; other conflicts battle for political control, profit-making, the settling of old grievances. In too many instances, the suffering of people, animals, and natural life portray a demented world nearing the point of no return, desperate for survival and peace.
This is our world during Christmas 2025. I understand that such a brutal description flies in the face of how we enjoy and imagine Christmas. And, I am hopeful that you are not trapped in one of the 40 war zones spread around planet earth, such as I have described.
But, on the other hand, is this world at war really so unlike the Christmas story as our Gospels tell it? Only two of the Bible's four gospels give an account of Jesus' birth. They are Matthew and Luke. The Gospel of Mark is the shortest one of the four and focuses on the baptism, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel of John, however, is quite long and begins not with the birth of Jesus but as a theological/philosophical account of the world's beginning described as an act of God who prepared the way for Jesus to minister to the world with "signs" of wonder that demonstrated the life-giving experience by which others may experience a new reality and being.
In other words, the description of Jesus' birth comes from Matthew and Luke whose accounts do not overlap, but whose "stories" provide the Christmas promise of peace, although not without the threat of violence and war.
In brief summary, here are the references to Jesus' birth as told by Matthew and Luke.
Turning now to Luke, the story continues with additional details.
and on earth peace for those God favors.
Thanks to Matthew and Luke, that is the Christmas story. But, you may wonder, what does this say about "peace?" What indeed are we to understand about peace as scripture presents the birth of Jesus?
Note the phrase above in Luke 2:18, when the angels sing of "peace for those God favors." What are we to make of this translation? Other manuscripts translate the ancient Greek phrase as:
Most significant regarding the message of peace, however, might be the words found in another scripture, in which Jesus himself says to a people needing to hear good news:
But we know the bitter reality. How can we not? The news instantaneously travels to inform us of the conflicts and wars around the world. Presently there are wars in 40 countries, according to the World Population Review and the International Crisis Group.
Ever-present is the on-going devastating war between Israel and the Palestinians in which the people of Gaza suffer unspeakable destruction of homes, family life, loved ones, as well as facilities that support life, health, education, spirituality, and the most human of all needs to feel safe, loved, hopeful.
But the news story of wars that seems to top the list is the bizarre war between Ukraine and Russia, pursued by Putin who initiated the conflict in pursuit of what he claims is the rightful territory of Mother Russia, now occupied by Ukraine. While people are dying, the latest diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict appear to proceed like a gathering of brokers bargaining for real estate. Here we see in real time the much publicized "art of the deal," a book and TV show that entertained the public on way to becoming a political movement. And while this "deal-making" with Putin in Russia goes on, people are starving and dying in the wars of at least 38 other countries.
Some of those wars rage to claim or regain territory; other conflicts battle for political control, profit-making, the settling of old grievances. In too many instances, the suffering of people, animals, and natural life portray a demented world nearing the point of no return, desperate for survival and peace.
This is our world during Christmas 2025. I understand that such a brutal description flies in the face of how we enjoy and imagine Christmas. And, I am hopeful that you are not trapped in one of the 40 war zones spread around planet earth, such as I have described.
But, on the other hand, is this world at war really so unlike the Christmas story as our Gospels tell it? Only two of the Bible's four gospels give an account of Jesus' birth. They are Matthew and Luke. The Gospel of Mark is the shortest one of the four and focuses on the baptism, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel of John, however, is quite long and begins not with the birth of Jesus but as a theological/philosophical account of the world's beginning described as an act of God who prepared the way for Jesus to minister to the world with "signs" of wonder that demonstrated the life-giving experience by which others may experience a new reality and being.
In other words, the description of Jesus' birth comes from Matthew and Luke whose accounts do not overlap, but whose "stories" provide the Christmas promise of peace, although not without the threat of violence and war.
In brief summary, here are the references to Jesus' birth as told by Matthew and Luke.
- Mt. 1:25: Joseph takes Mary to his home and she gives birth to Jesus.
- Mt. 2: 1-12: The Magi (three Wise Men) see a star that leads them to the manger in Bethlehem, but not before they pass through Judea ruled by King Herod. They explained to Herod that they were following a star to the place where a child was to be born who would be king of the Jews. This news greatly frightened Herod who asked the Magi to let him know where this child was to be born. But after presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the chlld, the Magi are warned in a dream to return home in a way that by-passes Herod.
- Mt. 2: 13-15: Joseph also is warned in a dream that he, Mary, and the baby are in danger. The three of them escape into Egypt.
- Mt. 2: 16-17: Herod is furious that he was fooled by the three Wise Men, and he massacres all the male children in Bethlehem who are two years old or less.
Turning now to Luke, the story continues with additional details.
- Luke 2: 1-4: Caesar Augustus conducts a census of "the whole inhabited world," with a view of taxation to follow. For that reason, Joseph sets out with Mary to register in Bethlehem. Finding no room in an inn, Mary had to give birth to Jesus in a manger, a box for feeding livestock in a barn or stable.
- Luke 2: 8-14: An angel appears to shepherds guarding their sheep at night when "the glory of the Lord shown around them" as the angel announced the birth of Jesus. This is followed by the "hosts of heaven" who praise God with the words:
and on earth peace for those God favors.
- Luke 2: 15-19: The astonished shepherds rush to Bethlehem to find the child and repeat what the angel told them about the heavenly event.
Thanks to Matthew and Luke, that is the Christmas story. But, you may wonder, what does this say about "peace?" What indeed are we to understand about peace as scripture presents the birth of Jesus?
Note the phrase above in Luke 2:18, when the angels sing of "peace for those God favors." What are we to make of this translation? Other manuscripts translate the ancient Greek phrase as:
- peace to all in whom he delights
- peace, goodwill among people
Most significant regarding the message of peace, however, might be the words found in another scripture, in which Jesus himself says to a people needing to hear good news:
- Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God. (Mt.5:9)
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