A Simple Christmas 2004...
The Gift of Peace
Messages of peace surround us at Christmastime, even during this time of war. From Christmas card greetings and familiar refrains wafting through the malls, to Scripture passages that guide our churches through the season, we greet the "Prince of Peace" and remember the promise of "peace on earth, good will to all." As we stand in line at a crowded store or tuck an anxious child into bed, we might be reminded of the words to a favorite carol . . . "Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright . . . ."
How "calm" is our Christmas? How calm was that first Christmas? Beyond this image of a tranquil, starry night in Bethlehem lies a more disorderly and troubled scene. A pregnant young girl marries a man who is not her baby's father. Travellers must leave their homes to go register with the government. A child is born on the streets because none will give up their own comfort for a laboring woman. The governor has all the baby boys in the area killed to ensure his grip on power.
Jesus was born into a troubled world. And Jesus comes as a gift of peace to our troubled world exactly as it is right now. Jesus comes to pregnant teens, to homeless families, to refugees, to victims of violence, oppression, war and terrorism. Jesus comes to soldiers in distant lands and their loved ones at home. Jesus comes to frantic holiday shoppers, anxious children and busy families. Jesus comes with the promise of peace on earth, through justice, righteousness and plenty. This is the world we wait for and work for.
We hope that this resource guide will help our parish to welcome the Prince of Peace, and to receive and give gifts of peace this Christmas.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
St Philip Neri
Peace & Justice Commission
Last updated
November 28, 2004
A project of St.
Philip Neri Catholic Church