All is well during the holiday season

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All is well, all is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of Love’s light..
How long have we waited for someone to sound the “All Clear”? Shouldn't someone, somewhere be tasked with ringing a bell or something, to tell us all this craziness is over. Pandemic and isolation, then politics and inflation; I just wanna build a snowman, then have it melt the next day! I want a Christmas that feels like Christmas again...ring a ling, hear them ring…soon it will be Christmas Day.
Into a season of upheaval, instigated by a worldwide tax increase, came a baby to a manger. The assignment for announcing the news was given to a multitude of heavenly hosts. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men.”
The angels’ “All is well” came to shepherds who still had years to wait for redemption to be accomplished about six miles away.

The announcement did not mark the immediate removal of the very grievous circumstances in which God’s people found themselves.
The one thing that changed was that God took on flesh and dwelt among us. That changed everything. Darkness met its doom that day.
The initial terror felt by already overburdened shepherds, gave way to great joy. Those consumed with fear were told to “Fear not.” Good tidings for the people declared that all is well.
Sing Ale, Sing Alleluia! My impatience and our fears meet in Jesus; hope.
The Son of God became a son of man, that the sons of men might become sons of God. Merry Christmas, Perryville. All is well!
Angels and men rejoice.
Benjamin Chapman is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Perryville. He may be reached by phone at 573-547-4644 or by email at bechappy@gmail.com.