We are celebrating the birth of Christ. No single event in recorded history has had a greater impact on the human race than the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. This solitary event, in an obscure village in a far away place, split history and divided it into two parts: namely, B.C., the period preceding his birth, and A.D., Anno Domini, meaning “In the year of our Lord.”

Christmas is a very special time for all Christendom. God came to the world to live among us in the little baby we call Jesus. He came to walk the dusty camel trails of Earth with us, and to experience suffering and joy, defeat and gladness, pain and rejection. He came to show us how to be triumphant in a world of love and hate, good and evil, greed and selfishness.

Within the human spirit there are dreams, hopes and ambitions calling us from the struggles of providing shelter and bread to satisfy the bare necessities of life, to a higher level — a life with purpose and meaning and peace, good will and a joy this world can neither give nor take away from us.

Jesus announced the purpose of his coming. He said, “I have come that you might have life more abundantly.” The body gets tired and the soul grows weary. We are tired of working and planning. Tired of rushing and waiting. We get tired of disaster and loss.

If we are to know joy, we must turn aside from the rushing crowds and glaring streets and communicate with God, and rest in valleys green and waters still. God, in his infinite wisdom, knew this when he whispered to David and caused him to write, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10)

Jesus came to show us God. He said, “I and My Father are one. If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” God created us to commune with him. We are made a little lower than the angels, and we can have fellowship with him.

Christmas is about the love of God for the human family. It’s about our relationship with Him and our love for one another.

Christmas is on the way. You cannot stop it. All the angels in heaven cannot stop it. All the devils in hell cannot stop it. It’s a God thing.

However, you can miss it and you will miss it unless Christ is in your life. Thank God for his goodness. Do a kind deed for someone else.

The angels appeared to the lowly shepherds who were watching over their flock, and said unto them, “Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.” That includes you and me. The angels did not appear to the rich and famous. They went to the humble shepherds. God came for the least among us, as well as the rich and mighty!

I hope your Christmas is filled with joy, peace and the love of God. He is the greatest gift of all.

Robert V. Ozment is a retired United Methodist minister.