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In a kind of counterpoint, Zechariah's song ends with a prophecy that sets a lofty tone for the spread of the Good News: "the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Unfortunately, looking back over two millennia of Christian History, I see much evidence of disruption caused not just by Jesus' message but also by his followers. At this very moment war sabers are rattling, the land of Jesus' birth convulses and bleeds, and the worldwide church shows more division than unity. I find myself repeating Zechariah's song of joy as an urgent prayer, wishing that Messiah's visit would be seen as a dawning of light and annunciation of peace.

The angel choir announced Jesus' birth with the words, "on earth peace, good will toward men." If only today we men and women could live out those words that filled the sky that Christmas day so long ago.

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A ready-to-download Bible Study on this article is available at ChristianBibleStudies.com. These unique Bible studies use articles from current issues of Christianity Today to prompt thought-provoking discussions in adult Sunday school classes or small groups.

Last month we published two articles on Mary:

There's Something About Mary | Beliefs about Jesus' virgin mother vary between Christians of the early church, Roman Catholics, and modern-day Protestants, but this model of total trustful devotion has lessons to teach all Christians. (Dec. 23, 2002)

The Serene Contradiction of the Mother of Jesus | In an excerpt from Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary, author Kathleen Norris explains why she reclaimed the virgin mother as a significant figure in her faith. (Dec. 23, 2002)

For similar articles, see Christianity Today'sBible and history archives. See also our Christian History Corner area, a weekly roundup of how the church's past is influencing today's world.

Previous Yancey columns for Christianity Today include:

Guilt Good and Bad | The early warning signs. (Nov. 11, 2002)

God's Funeral | What will keep faith from nearly disappearing in America? (Sept. 3, 2002)

Sheepish | Feeling autonomous and proud? Then ponder the lives of sheep. (July 2, 2002)

Servant in Chief | Jimmy Carter's journey from the White House to building houses.(May 28, 2002)

Why Do They Hate Us? | How to turn the Baywatch syndrome into the Jesus syndrome. (March 27, 2002)

Honest Church Marketing | We enhance our 'image' by offering the world a realistic picture of faith. (October 24, 2001)

Compassion Confusion | We should serve the needy even when it has bad political consequences. (August 28, 2001)

Fixing Our Weakest Link | Evangelicals should be more "needful of the minds of others." (July 13, 2001)

Replenishing the Inner Pastor | Churches should take greater interest in their shepherds' spiritual health. (May 14, 2001)

Beyond Flesh and Blood | I used to disdain biblical talk of "invisible spirits." No more. (Mar. 27, 2001)

God at Large | A look around the globe reveals a God as big as we want him to be. (Jan. 31, 2001)

Humility's Many Faces | Everyone I've looked up to has shared one trait. (Dec. 4, 2000)

Getting a Life | The most fully alive persons are those who give their lives away. (Oct. 16, 2000)

Yancey's Where is God When it Hurts, Special Edition and Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church are available on Christianbook.com.

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January 2003, Vol. 47, No. 1