Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once observed that the Christmas event can only be spoken about in poetry. He went on to comment that over the centuries preachers have analyzed it in their sermons and have turned Christmas into dogma. "Dogma," he said, "is rationally petrified poetry." I think I understand what he means. He means that Christmas speaks to the heart. 

As I reread the Christmas story, images of Bethlehem and the shepherd's field flooded my mind. I kept "seeing" the darkened sky and the village not far off in the distance. The angel message was brief: "I bring good news" ... "the savior is born" ... "you will find him in a manger." Over the centuries that short message has prompted millions of sermons, and the worship of the shepherds has turned into elaborate rituals in ornate …