In these middle days of Advent, the time in which we prepare to welcome once again the birth of Jesus into our lives and into our world,
we ponder the word "peace."
I invite to pause for a few moments each day,
and ask yourself, What is peace?
Where would you like peace in your life?
Where is there a need for peace in our world? (That’s not a hard one to answer these days, though the achieving of peace may be quite difficult – but there is always hope in God.)
Here are some of my thoughts.
Peace is a moment of quiet.
It is stillness and rest.
It is a place of no worries.
But it is something more, much, much more.
The Bible speaks of peace as the wolf living quietly with the lamb,
and the leopard and the baby goat cozying up together to sleep.
So peace --
is enemies shaking hands and working together to solve the problems each face.
Peace –
is choosing to find consensus and collaboration,
looking for our common desires
rather than focussing on differences of opinion, faith, culture, gender, or race.
It is healing and forgiveness unfolding in a person’s life.
It is a surprising moment of calm, that just comes, when there is chaos all around.
Peace comes from knowing that God is with us, in the midst of the chaos and tragedies and sorrows of life. Peace transcends the challenges.
Peace is knowing that we can rest in God’s love.
We can be ourselves, just who we are, with no masques or pretense.
God accepts us just as we are. In that, there is peace.
We are a part of bringing peace to other people and to the world.
When we create a welcoming, loving, accepting place for family and friends,
a place without judgement or criticism, a place where they can relax and just be,
we have offered them peace.
When we pray for peace for the world,
when we hold in our hearts places in the world where there is conflict,
when we surround with loving prayer those we know who live in the midst of violence within their own homes,
we are part of the mending and repair needed in this world.
In our prayers, we join with God in weaving peace in this world.
Peace.
May you discover God’s gift of peace, deep and peace,
as you prepare yourself to welcome Christ this Christmas.
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