Christmas means vastly different things to people. Many merchants see it as an economic blessing, an important source of needed income, while others complain that it has become too commercialized. For a lot of people it’s a happy time for families to get together. For too many, it’s a difficult time, because of family challenges, or because of not having a family.
Beyond the happy or difficult activities of Christmas—beyond the human joys or unhappiness—there is a deep, quiet meaning to Christmas, which still lies waiting for all to discover, and which has profound significance for each of us.
Jesus’ birth was the birth of “a Saviour,” the promised Messiah. An angel announced this to the shepherds, who were tending their flocks in the fields that night (see Luke 2:8–14). Then a whole host of angels proclaimed the joyous message “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
