Season of Advent: Peace, Day 6

Season of Advent: Peace, Day 6

Reading:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[1]

Reflection:

How has Christmas, the celebration, strayed so far from its origins? Did not the angels sing of “Peace on Earth” in Bethlehem 2000 years ago? Was that peace intended to apply to the inner city? The homeless? The oppressed? The Middle East? To the stomach of a starving child? Perhaps it is helpful to consider where peace is not. Wherever violence, chronic need, fear, oppression, or marginalization exist, there can be no peace. The least peaceful times in my life have been characterized by fear, uncertainty, anger, and loss of control – times when it is difficult to maintain enough focus for even the simplest of prayers. In the disorganized havoc of such times God may be present but seems far away at best. The manger scene we picture for Jesus’ birth could not have been the peaceful scene we now romanticize it to be. We believe God was there, however, as God is here today.

We have the free will to turn to, acknowledge, and respond to God’s presence – or not. For me, I must quiet my mind to experience God, but any sense of fear, uncertainty, or need overrides my sense of inner peace. When I am centered enough to experience the presence of God, there is no fear or uncertainty or need – there is only God and me. God with me. Emmanuel.  

How I choose to transmit my personal experience of peace to others is up to me. It necessarily, however, must be directed outward in action of some sort. Unless we find ways to translate our peace into helping mitigate the desperate needs of our brothers and sisters, even in small ways, our inner peace will be short-lived.

Closing Meditation:

Consider one or two ways you could participate, in large or small ways, in easing the peace-destroying needs of others this season. What would that require of you?

Journal the thoughts and feelings that arise.

This daily series, Contemplative Christmas, is replacing my weekly Life Notes until January 6, 2025, when my weekly blog will resume. The thoughts expressed here are mine. To engage with me: ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

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[1] Luke 2:14