A Very Short Christmas Story

At least a million people watched as the giant Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center was lit this evening. "Oohs" and "ahs" were audible as onlookers were mesmerized by the bright colored lights illuminating the cold, dark, autumn evening in New York city.

It's an historic evening full of brilliance, joy, and anticipation for the upcoming holiday season. It's a time for love. It's a time for miracles. It's a time for peace. But not for everyone.

Something happened tonight that has never happened before. One person knelt down, with hands folded as in prayer, then three people were kneeling, then 50 people. Before too long everyone was kneeling, looking up at the giant Christmas tree and singing Christmas carols. But not everyone.

Five men were left standing, each wearing black ski masks, each carrying an AK 47. Terrorists. They were sent to do a job. But not really.

Caught up in the Spirit of Christmas before them, they each dropped their rifles and removed their masks. One had tears in his eyes. He turned to the others and said, السلام على جميع الرجال which is Arabic for "Peace to all men."