Message from School Director

Every Christmas, we find ourselves once again at the manger. We kneel before a simple place—wood and straw, a feeding trough meant for animals. And yet, this is where our story begins. This humble manger becomes the cradle of the Prince of Peace. The child lying there is no ordinary child. His birth is announced by angels filling the night sky, proclaiming a message the world had been longing to hear: peace on earth.

This peace is not the kind the world usually offers. It is not dependent on perfect circumstances, quiet lives, or everything falling neatly into place. It is a peace that transcends human understanding. It flows from one simple, powerful truth: God is with us. The baby in the manger is Immanuel—God with us. And wherever God is present, peace is possible.

The peace Jesus brings is not distant or passive. It is a peace that takes action. God does not remain far away from our struggles, our pain, or our brokenness. Instead, He steps right into it. In the birth of Jesus, God says to humanity, “I am here. I am with you.” This peace reaches out to the outcast, the forgotten, the weary, and the lost, and gently says, “You are seen. You are known. You are loved.” This is the peace that Christmas proclaims.

It is no accident that the first to hear this good news were shepherds. They were not powerful or privileged. They were ordinary people, working an ordinary night. Yet they were chosen to receive an extraordinary message. Through them, God shows us that His peace is not reserved for the elite or the exceptional. It is offered to everyone—regardless of status, success, or circumstance.

The angels’ song makes this clear: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” This peace is a gift. It is not something we earn or achieve through our efforts. It is grace—freely given by a loving God. At Christmas, we are invited simply to receive it.

And this peace is not meant only for our hearts. It is meant for our families, our communities, our nation, and our world. The birth of Jesus marks the beginning of a new era—an era where peace is possible because God has drawn near. Through Jesus’ life, His teachings, His death, and His resurrection, the promise of the angels is fulfilled. Through Him, peace is offered to all people.

But this peace does not come without cost. The child in the manger will grow up to be the man on the cross. The Prince of Peace will give His life so that we might be reconciled—to God, to one another, and even within ourselves. This is the ultimate expression of God’s peace: love poured out completely.

So today, as we gather at the manger, may we open our hearts to receive this gift anew. May the peace of Christ settle our fears, heal our wounds, and guide our steps. And may that peace flow through us into a world that so desperately needs it.

On this holy night, may the peace that Christmas brings dwell in your hearts and in your homes. Merry Christmas.

Fr.Emil, LRMS