JOIN USThus it is obvious that the people of Palestine were at that time under the political domination of the Roman empire which stretched far and wide.
The ancient Israelites were hoping for a liberation from this political subjugation to a foreign emperor whose legions had conquered and occupied the land which they had owned for several centuries. This hope had occasionally taken shape as uprisings against
Rome, which however, were ruthlessly suppressed by the imperial authority.
Luke's narrative mentions further that when the birth of Jesus actually took place, the angels announced this good news quite dramatically to the shepherds keeping their night watch over their flock: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will."
The establishment of peace in the hearts of men and women of good will all over the world, i.e. with the right disposition of mind, is in some real way the quintessence of the salutary purpose of the incarnation of Christ.
That peace should reign supreme throughout the world without any political barriers and religious differences, if the divine message to the shepherds has to find its full realisation.
In a world so divided like ours due to different political systems which are promoted with the senseless killing of innumerable human beings and large scale destruction of property built with the labour of millions of people, it is by no means an easy task to establish the reign of peace. And yet this is what can save humanity from the catastrophe of constant conflicts and lay the foundation for some kind of a different world order which renders justice and peace to people all over the world.
It is tragically quite tempting for the rulers of nations with great military might to entertain the illusion that by succumbing to the pressures for more troops and more military weapons, peace can be achieved. The warning by Christ that he who takes up the sword shall perish by it, seems to be lost to them, though history has proved time and again that ignoring that warning has plunged humanity into the depths of agony and suffering.
The season of Advent and the ensuing Christmas are important days not only for the whole of mankind in general, but also to every man and woman to do one's mite to bring about the peace which would enable all of us to follow the path of peace steadfastly and confidently. We will not come this way again. So let us leave a good legacy for our children and our children's children.