Peace on Earth

Today I'm celebrating the arrival of Christ in this world who came "to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace."

If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.
- Wendell Berry

Today is a day of peace, but we do not live in a world of peace. We live in a world where greed and vanity and impatience and pride is valued over peace. I can find too many places in my own life where I take the easy path instead of the path that leads to peace, and I'm challenging myself to be less complacent.

So, this year let's work for peace. Let's work for the people in our world and our cities who are marginalized by systems of power and oppression. Let's try to recognize when we are a part of those systems. Let's work to take better care of the planet that was given to us- at least not to destroy it as quickly as we are. Let's work to call injustice injustice when we see it. Let's work to judge others less quickly and listen as much as we talk. Let's support the people around the world that are working for peace and not just trying to spread their own lifestyle. Let's celebrate joy and beauty when we find it and work to add these things into the world.

The world is large and will always be broken, but I believe more and more each day that when we do small thing to bring peace and passion to the corners of the world that we live in, we each make the small steps that are necessary for large change. Do it, people.