NATCHEZ — When the angels came to the shepherds, they brought good news of great joy. Now, modern day shepherds continue to bring the good news to congregations across the Miss-Lou.

As Natchez residents celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas Day, pastors across the Miss-Lou are preparing to share their thoughts on the occasion.

The Rev. Nance Hixon of Grace United Methodist Church gave his Christmas Eve sermon on the angels that said the first Noel.

“We get a lot of bad news in life,” Hixon said. “And then here are these angels that show up and announce that they have good news of great joy, and what could this good news be?”

Hixon said he hopes people are receptive and mindful of the good news in their lives.

New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church pastor The Rev. LeRoy White said Christians often forget about the true meaning of Christmas.

“It’s more than celebrating getting gifts,” White said. “It’s a time for giving gifts and not expecting anything in return.”

He said the Christian experience was about carrying the Christmas message throughout the year.

“Just like Jesus cared about folks, the church should also care about the community,” White said. “(We should care) that 365 days a year, people are suffering and hurting.”

For the Rev. David O’Connor of St. Mary’s Basilica, the Christmas message stands in stark contrast to the modern world.

“The message of Christmas, ‘peace on earth to people of good will,’ is maybe more necessary today than it was 2,000 years ago,” O’Connor said. “We see the acts of terrorism, but also violence in people’s lives.”

O’Connor said he hopes his congregation will find in the Christmas reflection a way to re-center their lives on the joy of God, and not on the frustrations and anger in their lives, in order to become more peaceful people.

The Rev. Birdon Mitchell of Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church said the story of Christmas is an opportunity to recommit to one’s faith.

“The Savior is born,” Mitchell said. “Even though it took place years ago, if we allow Jesus to come into our lives, He will be born in our lives each and every day.”