Peace on Earth?

The answer to that question, I think, is no. We can't all just get along. We will never all get along, and the reason for that is that deep down, we believe that the universe revolves around us. I'll admit that I've acted that same way. Give me a little credit, at least I'm willing to admit it.

A perfect example of this need for everything to be all about "me" is the Christmas season. Since this is the time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of their Savior, Jesus Christ, one would expect most of the Christmas shoppers to be...well, nicer. They are, after all, celebrating the birth of the Savior, and as Christians should they be doing what Jesus taught them. Love, hope, patience, and all that stuff. Instead, they cut one another off in parking lots to get the closest space. They fight over laptop computers and DVD players. Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men? Hah! People bitch and complain over how long they have to wait in line, and throw a hissy fit if someone might get ahead of them.

You want peace on earth? First, try negotiating peace at the shopping mall. Then move on to the bigger things.

And the next time you find yourself getting impatient and/or angry because someone cut you off, got in front of you, or is moving too slow to suit your needs, ask yourself this: Is this how your Jesus would want you to celebrate His birth? Or would He prefer that you celebrated by showing some compassion for the woman who inadvertently cuts you off because she is concentrating on getting back to the hospital with a Christmas present for her nephew, praying that he holds on until she gets there; patience for the man who suffered a stroke and can no longer get around as quickly as he once did; understanding for the wife who goes through each and every bedspread, for she is trying to find the perfect one for her parents, knowing that they won't be around much longer to enjoy such things and there may not be another Christmas to celebrate with them.

And when you've managed that, then maybe, just maybe there will be hope for Peace.