The timing of Jesus' arrival is worth noting, he comes at a height of

imperial power, social unrest, and religious clashes all under a false

peace. In the messiness of it all, Jesus is born in manger and of him it is

declared 'Prince of Peace' and 'King'. This is something the writers of

Matthew and Luke want to highlight because it shows that in our own lives,

Jesus doesn't mind clashing with the things we've made kings, he isn't

intimated by the mess in our personal lives, in our relationships, or in

the world around us. He arrives in the midst of it all and we can know him

to be the bringer of peace, and the King. This is the hope of Christmas.