Isaiah the prophet spoke the words, “For us a child is born, to us a child is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
In the gospel story, a company of heavenly hosts appeared to the shepherds, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men, on whom his favor rests.” Peace is key to the Christmas message.
As we celebrate, and express the Christmas message, about peace to the world, let us stop and recognize that our world in fact is far from peace.
This week alone marks the two-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, killing 26 people. Other parts of the world continue struggling with unrest, war and conflict.
Our world needs peace!
We live in a broken, messy and violent world. Most people believe that peace will automatically happen. That it will just materialize. The truth is that without active participation and choosing to lead by example, peace will not make its way into our relationships, communities or spread out into the world.
The song, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me,” is most fitting for the season. If we want peace, it must begin with me. Demonstrate the peace from within and send it into the world.
If we are not at peace ourselves then we need to find our inner peace. Ask God for it. To have peace in our world, we need to make peace. Jesus, said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
It was Christmas 1914 during World War I, and you could hear the sound of rifles firing and shells exploding. They began to fade in a number of places along the Western Front in favor of holiday celebrations in the trenches and gestures of goodwill between enemies.
The German soldiers began to sing "Silent Night." The allied soldiers didn’t know what to make of it but soon they too sang along, and they moved out of the trenches and towards each other in a sign of peace.
Ask yourself, am I a peacemaker? Where can I be God’s instrument of peace? Is at work, church, with my family or community? Do your small part by starting in your corner of the world. If you want peace–then make peace.
My prayer is from Saint Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
