Try again for peace on earth

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

-- Luke 1:14

So spoke the angels more than 2,000 years ago, a time of terrible strife. Today, conditions haven't changed much, but the desire to meet that standard of peace on earth is still strong in the hearts of most of mankind.

2009 saw the war in Iraq wind down, while the war in Afghanistan heated up.

It saw a bloody, 20-year civil war in Sri Lanka end, but a guerilla insurgency in the Philippines flare up.

It saw continued fighting between Israelis and Palestinians that cost hundreds of lives, but which were overshadowed by the other wars in the Mideast. It saw Turkey launching constant cross-border attacks into Iraq to quell a Kurdish rebel group, Saudi Arabia respond to Shiite militant attacks by blockading Yemen and attacking the militant strongholds there. It saw the continuing meltdown in Sudan and the unabated atrocities in Dufar.

It saw the bloody attacks on civilians in Mumbai, India, and terrorist bombings that killed thousands of innocents in every corner of the globe.

It saw Iran develop a long-range missile capable of reaching all the major population centers in Europe, potentially carrying the nuclear weapons it is clearly trying to develop.

Throughout the world, it saw the name of God invoked to justify war, terrorism and atrocities. God must weep at the misuse of his name.

It saw an American president offer a justification for war during his speech accepting the Nobel prize for peace.

Across this country, hate crimes were on the rise.

There was little "peace on earth" to be found.

And yet, stories of compassion and kindness have also abounded.

In the midst of all the wars, killing and hate, this season has shown another side to the character of mankind. Nowhere was it in evidence better than right here in Mountain Home, as the community reached out to others in the true spirit of the season. With the economy having melted down, the need for help was as great as it has ever been, and the community responded with literally tons of food, clothing and other items donated to help those in need.

It demonstrated, as no other method could, that the hearts of most people are good and kind, and in doing so, showed that "good will toward men" remains a fundamental part of the character of people all over the world.

In 2010 let us strive to make that part of our character even stronger, and pray that the leaders of our nations will find a way to bring "peace on earth" at last, so that the angels may once again sing.

-- Kelly Everitt