After Christmas, and its heart

Before Christmas recedes entirely from sight in the rear-view mirror, I want to bring attention to five important but often overlooked words in the narrative.

When the angels appeared to the shepherds with news of the holy birth and subsequent chorus of “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace toward men” they also said, “with whom he is pleased.”

I seem to recall a childhood Bible that had a comma in that sentence, indicating God’s pleasure with the entire populace of the planet. But current popular translations have no such punctuation, seemingly telling us that God’s peace, which must surely be the most important kind, is extended only toward people who please him.

I’m not going to be picky about the jots and tittles here. We have plenty of theologians for that, both armchair and professional. Nor will I entertain discussion about the “gender” or actual existence of a superior being/creator. I am a man of some degree of faith in God; even if you're picky and my arguments are unsatisfactory, my experiences are beyond the reach of your logic.

 

But neither do I want to take chances. I want to know God’s peace as a deep, convincing, enduring sensation and guiding force in my life; therefore I want him to be pleased with me. Maybe you can identify with that.

I know a few of the established practices in such a pursuit, and I know a few of the rote answers. Sometimes, it all even "clicks" for me. But what I want to know is, what works for you? Or are you too busy roaring off for another lap around the sun to slow down and listen one more time, and hear the angels sing?