Pastoral Pearls: Peace on Earth
Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day. ~ Helen Steiner Rice 
This is my Christmas Challenge. How can I live “Christmas” every day?
Let’s see… Christmas is light ~ I can perhaps brighten someone’s day with a smile and kind word; Christmas is hope ~ perhaps I can keep pointing out to others all of their good qualities – strength, intelligence, creativity, power to choose and make happen – so they will begin to have hope that they are enough just as they are; Christmas is giving gifts ~ these can be small, like smiles, laughter, compliments, affirmations…; Christmas is music ~ I can share my voice with others, to touch their hearts; Christmas is fellowship and spending time together ~ I can make quality time for those who are important to me; Christmas is anticipation ~ I can anticipate that those around me will do good, or the right thing, or answer correctly, instead of assuming (anticipating) the worst; Christmas is believing in what can not be seen and in someone’s potential ~ I can see what someone is capable of doing or becoming and believe they will do it; Christmas is a time of Reflection ~ I can make time to reflect on all the ways God shines in my life, and to what God is calling me to do or be; Christmas is love ~ I can find large and small ways every day to show my love for those closest to me and those who cross my path. In these ways I give thanks to God for bringing love in the form of Jesus into my life and I pass this love on to create peace on earth. With the grace of God
Loving God,
I thank you for your gift of love and peace incarnate this Christmas and in my heart.
May I show my gratitude in all the ways I try to live Christmas every day.
May this be like a ripple in the water made by one small pebble, and spread peace out to all people, in all walks of life, and in all life situations, uniting us in Christmas – in your love.
~ Amen