Calling all angels

[Mandy Muffin]

Dear Jesus, the world you tried to save is a mess.  But how much could you do, as you were a victim yourself?  Nobody would listen to a simple message of "peace on earth and good will toward men."  It's seems to be a lot more satisfying to hate people who don't agree with you and try to kill them if you can or even die trying.  We  have entire nations dedicated to the proposition that they are going to kill all those who don't believe in their god and their code of laws and morality.  And so it has been since you departed this earth to be with your heavenly father. In the meantime many have killed in your name.  

I don't know what I can do except to try and keep peace in my own little world.  I promise to love the ones who are dear to me and be kind to those who I come across in my existence.  I won't hate them because they have more money than me or believe in a different political philosophy.  I won't hate them because they speak a foreign language or because they wear religious symbols to the local mall.  I won't hate them because they are living a different existence than me and protest asking for more all the time.  I will try to see the world through their eyes and understand their values.  

There are some who don't follow the traditional concept of the nuclear family or believe it's OK to smoke funny weeds.  In many cases the law is now on their side.  OK, I can accept change as you said Lord Jesus, they were all created in your image.  There are some who even want to send the country over a fiscal cliff so they can prove that their ideology is the right one. Does that make any sense to you, Jesus?  Is this what you came on the Earth to preach?  I don't think so.  

So on Tuesday we will all sit around the Christmas tree or what ever symbol of the holidays we honor, perhaps attend a religious ceremony, spend time exchanging gifts with family and friends and love each other for one day a year.  Then the conflict will begin anew, both domestic and international.  I wonder how it will all end?  Maybe we need to be calling all angels to the rescue?  Can it hurt?   

[Mandy Muffin]

The Gospel According to Luke:

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”