A Vision For Peace-Worldwide Peace in 2024

 I can only think of peace, in this beautiful season of Christian joy. I think of the coming year 2024 and pray that it can somehow, miraculously, be a year of peace around the globe. It seems improbable, nearly impossible but it can be achieved through prayer and negotiation. And only if leaders would seek peace, seek a path that leads away from war and destruction to a path of reconciliation, deliberations, compromise and seeking the will of God. God wills that all humankind live in peace and instead of wasting money on weapons of war, money is better spent on building up, rebuilding and helping those who have lost so much from war. And of course feeding the hungry.

All the world religions should make an effort in the coming year, to put aside their differences and pray for peace and exhort leaders to find a path to peace. There are solutions, but thoughtful negotiations and compromise is needed.

The Prince of Peace, Jesus, calls us to be peacemakers and calls leaders of all faiths to strive for peace and to stay the course until it is accomplished.

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us, upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful. Upon David's throne and over his kingdom which he confirms and sustains..." (Isaiah 9:5-6)

Merry Christmas! Happy Peaceful New Year!

Nancy

Advent 2023 and Imagining A Peaceful World

 In parts of the world this Advent 2023 there is war, there are missiles and bombs dropping causing pain, destruction and death. This is far from God's will for humankind. And yet here we are still praying for peace, longing for peace, wanting the Prince of Peace to bring peace to a broken world.  The Christian liturgical Season of Advent which began today is a time of waiting, expectation and prayer. The word Advent comes from the Latin word, "Adventus," which means coming. Christ should come into our hearts anew this Advent as we wait for Christ to come at Christmas and at the end of the world in glory. 

But here we are, living with tensions in the world, as the Prince of Peace cannot definitively establish His Kingdom on Earth because people are flawed and conjure up evil deeds and carry it out.  We live in a fallen world where children continue to suffer needlessly.  Yet, so many people are good and want what God wants and strive for goodness, truth and peace and yet it is still so elusive.  And so God weeps......and God's Kingdom cannot be fully realized, in the here and now.  

People of good will, will pray for peace this Advent, as I will, we will pray for negotiation over destruction, compromise and peace-making in parts of the world where suffering continues. 

The children of this world deserve better. 

Let us pray this Advent brings lasting peace and solutions that work and endure, in war torn parts of the world.  

NJA