"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!'" —  Luke 2:13-14 (NRSVUE)

During this time, an angel approached the shepherds to give them the great news of the birth of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. And next to him appeared other angels who, with great joy, praised God and announced peace on earth. Think of the contribution that the birth of Jesus would make to our world — nothing less than to bring peace on earth.

As women, we are called to be agents of peace in all those areas where we carry out our activities – in our work outside or inside the home, and with our sisters and brothers in the faith. Jesus said in John 14:27 that He would give us His peace, and made it clear that it was not like the peace that the world gives. It is a peace over and above life's conflicts.

On one occasion during my years of missionary work in northern Argentina, together with brothers and sisters from the United States, I went through an anguishing situation when I had to travel urgently to southern Argentina, many kilometers from the city where we lived. The Toba-Qom brothers and sisters, translators of the Bible into their language, surrounded me and prayed a prayer of faith on behalf of my life, for safety during the trip, and for my father's life. I felt the peace of Jesus that surrounded me at that moment and gave me the courage to travel, knowing that Jesus went with me. I never forgot that moment. They were used by Jesus as agents of peace.

Let us pray:

Thank you, Lord, for your peace that helps us overcome the conflicts that arise at any moment of our lives.

Editor's Note: Mónica Barroso is Argentine, and is married to Luis Acosta. From 1995 to 2015 they lived in Sáenz Peña and were part of the Mennonite Team of the Argentine Chaco. Now they live in Mar del Plata. Their son Marcos is a Mennonite pastor in Florida and their daughter Débora is a nutritionist in Mar del Plata.

¡Buenas nuevas de los ángeles!

"En aquel momento aparecieron, junto al ángel, muchos otros ángeles del cielo, que alababan a Dios y decían: "¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas! Paz en la tierra entre los hombres que gozan de su favor."  —  Lucas 2:13-14 (DHH)

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