No one said it would be easy

This is the toughest space to fill in the paper every year.
It's Christmas and an editorialist is expected to say something in the spirit of the day, but just inches above are 20 verses that say it all so much better than we ever could.
If you just read it, you know what we mean. If you skipped over it, stop. Go to the top of the page, directly to the top of the page.
There lies the story of the day.
It is a story of very special significance, obviously, to Christians. But it is a story with a message for anyone -- of any religion or no religion at all.
It is a story of hope. A story of the promise of redemption. A story of lowly shepherds who had a revelation from on high. It tells of a common man and woman who did something extraordinary. Finally, it is the story of a baby who grew into a man who changed the world.
It's quite amazing how many stories those few verses tell and foretell.
What's missing
Sadly, the promise of that night has not yet been realized, at least not fully or in this world.
The choirs of angels sang about peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
There are only smatterings of each.
In recent weeks, no doubt, you've felt goodwill. You've given and you've received. Dropped money into the red pot outside a store. Gave an unwrapped toy to a Marine at the mall. Kicked in a few dollars for a collection at work to help a needy family. Wrapped presents for a church group or charity. Picked a card off an "angel tree" and made some child's Christmas a little brighter. Joined with club members to collect food or toys or to put on a Christmas party for special children. Sang carols at a nursing home.
Many people do more, some less. Those who did nothing of the kind have missed a chance to get as much out of the holiday as it has to offer.
So, as we said, goodwill toward others is not especially lacking.
The gaping hole can be found in the promise of peace on earth.
Sadly that is lacking in far too many places, and, especially in the place where it all began, the little town of Bethlehem.
Nowhere is peace more elusive than in the Middle East. And the irony is that the very thing that keeps driving people apart is that which should bring them together -- religion.
Too often, people allow themselves to be caught up in the trappings of religion, and so forget its meaning. They worship messengers instead of messages. It becomes too easy for evil people to pervert something that is good and pure.
On this day, a day when family and friends gather to celebrate the promise of 2,000 years ago, let each of us think of our sins of omission and commission that have kept that promise from being realized, and what we can do to help give it new life.