Peace on earth starts inside us

But for many people today peace is in short supply. Terrorist threats have created a climate of fear and there is little peace for the thousands of men, women and children fleeing violence in Syria.

In a few days’ time Christians will celebrate the ‘silent night, holy night’ when we remember the shepherds watching over their flocks.

The message of the angels came to a nation that was under enemy occupation. In those days too there were terrorists trying to undermine the Roman oppressors.

Jesus’ birth took place in Bethlehem, a town which was bustling with activity. In fact it was so full of visitors that there was no accommodation for Joseph and Mary other than in a byre among the cattle.

It was in the midst of all this busy-ness and conflict that the Prince of Peace was born. Christians believe that God is not remote from normal life, but that he entered into the world that you and I know only too well, with all its joys and sorrows.

So the message of ‘peace on earth’ is not about living in a time when there is an absence of conflict. It has to start inside each one of us.

It’s no good waiting for others to bring peace – we have to choose actively and positively the way of peace.

Perhaps this is why Jesus also proclaimed ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called children of God’.

I hope and pray that this Christmas we will enter into the silent and holy night which is filled with God’s gift of peace for us, our families and our world.