joining us to reverend sanders and reverend karen brau, the senior pastor at luther place memorial church. and reverend braxton for the ame church. and thank you all for being here this morning as we celebrate the christmas season. and i'd like to start with just sort of defining what this time of year is about. what skrms christmas is about. i know we talk about hope and peace and the birth of christ. what is the christmas season as you define it supposed to be about? >> well, we go back to the birth of christ. born in a rough time. a very difficult season. and the theological point of view is that god sent himself into the world to bring hope, and peace and joy. and to everybody. that is the basis of celebration. i bring you good tidings of peace. >> i would imagine you agree. that we should try to center our thought this is time of year. >> well, the birth of jesus is the main event. and in the gospels we get two different kinds of scenarios of how people respond. we get the shepherds having this revelation of light and music and a message. and they run to the manger to find this baby.