






What things in life are more important than politics?




Can there ever be peace on earth and goodwill toward men?

Pignanelli: The traditional Yuletide quest for peace on earth is millennia from achievement. Our history is a violent exchange between tribes and countries, which will not change any time in the near future. However, every day of human existence is better than the day before: We are conquering diseases, eliminating poverty, spreading technology and economic opportunity. It's slow going but we'll get there.

Webb: However difficult, we ought to never cease striving for the ideal of peace on earth. But it will never be fully achieved until the human race follows the precepts taught by the individual revered by Christians as the Prince of Peace, whose birthday we now celebrate. Even most non-Christians view Jesus Christ as a great moral teacher. If truly accepted and practiced, his teachings would literally revolutionize the world. War, violence and crime would disappear. Broken hearts would be mended. Poverty and hunger would be eradicated. Hatred, bigotry, greed and cheating would be gone. Fathers would accept their responsibilities. Families would stay together. Government would be a lot smaller, not needing to become the support system for individuals and families.

We may not be able to bring peace to the whole world. But we can bring peace to our own hearts and to our families. And if enough families have peace, then a neighborhood has peace. And a lot of peaceful neighborhoods mean a peaceful community. And enough peaceful communities mean peaceful states. And peaceful states mean peaceful nations. And, ultimately, we have a peaceful world.

1 comment on this story

Legislation, court decrees and presidential proclamations won't bring peace on earth. We can create it only from within, one heart at a time.

We wish each of you a Christmas of peace and love.
