On the night Jesus was born, according to the traditional reading of the Christmas story, the angels said to the shepherds, “ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  

“On earth, peace . . .”

We have yet to experience that peace on Earth, and though peace still seems an illusive goal, I invite you to join me this year in praying and working for peace.

Most importantly, I will pray and work for peace between God and man.  God is willing and has done all that is necessary–and more–to bring about peace by sending Jesus, but a lack of faith and a lack of obedience and a tremendous lack of love has kept too many from experiencing that peace.

But there is more.  I also long for, pray for, and will work for . . . 

• Peace within families.

• Peace between nations.

• Peace between the races.

• Peace between police officers and the communities they serve.

• Peace between Christian denominations.

• Peace between Christians and Muslims.

• Peace between Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives.

I’m not looking for “peace at all costs,” which can lead to a compromise of convictions and an inner bitterness.  But I am looking and working for a peace that is based on God’s love that transcends differences of nationalities, color, opinions, and even deeply held convictions.  

To get this kind of peace, it will take real prayer.  It will take a deep level of work.  It will require that I bite my tongue to keep from speaking angry and hurtful words.  It will require that I refuse to hit “post” or “send” or “forward” when I come across an article or  email that encourages anger and hatred.  It will mean that I sit down and listen to people who think, look, and act differently from me.  It will require me to ask, “Can you explain?” instead of firing back my response.  It will require that I think deeply about why people think and act the way that they do.  It will mean that I offer love in response to anger and hatred.

It will require me to keep working and praying for peace when others–even well-meaning Christians–declare that there can be no peace.

It won’t be easy, but the truth is that real love, God’s love, can and should lead to real peace.  And if I am living God’s love, I should be an agent of peace.

The angels proclaimed it.  I invite you to join me in praying and working toward making their proclamation a reality.

“On earth . . . peace.”