Tidings of great joy to all people a timeless lesson

Merry Christmas to all our readers. The Erwin Record wishes you the best for this holiday. With Christmas arriving tomorrow, it's a great time to reflect on what makes this season so joyous, peaceful and inclusive. Recall the story of the Nativity in Luke 2:10 that we probably first heard in Sunday School, if not at home. An angel delivered "tidings of great joy." These tidings were also directed toward "all people." Countless children in Christmas skits and programs have redelivered those lines throughout the years. Like Linus in the timeless holiday special "A Charlie Brown Christmas," I was always cast as a shepherd, never the angel delivering the "tidings of great joy." But the message has stuck with me. The part that resonates with me all these years later, however, is that these tidings were intended for "all people." I'm not as clear-spoken as Linus in "A Charlie Brown Christmas," but this is important. "All people" was not an off-hand comment in the Nativity story. It's an essential component of the narrative. We're compelled to remember that Jesus was born in Bethlehem beneath a new star in the heavens for "all people." "Love thy neighbor" is another enduring lesson from Sunday School that I still remember. I had good Sunday School teachers. They took the time to explain that neighbors extended beyond family and members of the community. The message that Jesus brought to the world was that a neighbor is anyone you encounter on this walk of life. So, anyone and everyone becomes a neighbor. Once again, Merry Christmas. Hold fast to those long-ago "tidings of great joy to all people." They will help you weather any storm.