Into the darkness, a baby was born.

He grew—learned to speak, to walk, to embrace. He was treated poorly, despised and rejected. Yet the words He spoke were the words of God, the footprints He left became the path to eternal life, and the love He showed became our model for peace on earth.

Then He was abused and killed in front of His mother and His friends—hands and feet pinned down. Still, He spoke of forgiveness and hope. Still, His life gave light to others.

The world grew dark at His death. And for three days, hope wrestled with fear—because He had spoken of rising again.

Then Sunday came. The sunrise broke, and heaven’s light poured into our world. He stood again—shining into hearts, emboldening and empowering five, then twelve, then five hundred. Day chased back the night.

And the world has never been the same: joy, love, hope, forgiveness—peace on earth.

All because a baby was born.

(credit: Darlene N. Böcek)

Merry Christmas!

Georges de La Tour, The Adoration of the Shepherds, 1644 (Musée du Louvre, Paris)