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Our Advent Prayer: Bring Forth the King of Peace!
By Kate Ristow

As we prepare to celebrate anew the rebirth of Christ in our hearts on Christmas, we remember Jesus’ mission and rededicate ourselves to continuing his work in the world. The “Word became flesh” (John 1:14) to save us from sin and death and to inaugurate God’s kingdom of peace, love, and justice in the world. During this time of joyful anticipation, we cannot wait passively; our baptismal call compels us to take action to prepare the way for the coming of the kingdom.

In the last verse of the traditional Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” we sing:

“O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
And be for us our King of Peace.”

Today’s world is engulfed in “sad divisions.” A few statistics illuminate that distressing fact. Project Ploughshares reports that there are currently twenty-one significant ongoing armed conflicts raging around the globe. Imagine it—twenty-one wars! According to the United States Department of Justice, there were almost 17,000 murders and 700,000 incidents of domestic violence in the United States in 2005. School shootings are on the increase and gang violence is a consistent reality in many communities. How badly our world needs peace!

There are so many positive things we can do to actively promote peace in our parishes and programs.

• During your weekly Advent lessons, remind students that the most common message on religious Christmas cards calls for “Peace on Earth.” Discuss with your students specific things they can do to be a better sign of peace for others at home, at school, and in their neighborhood. Help them to appreciate that their efforts do make a difference.
• Work with your class to organize a fundraiser to donate funds to UNICEF USA or Amnesty International USA. Both of these organizations promote peace and human rights worldwide. Consider raising money through a Christmas cookie sale, a neighborhood caroling party, or a gift-wrapping service.
• Have the students make a huge banner promoting peaceful actions in our daily lives. Display the banner in a public area of the parish and encourage parishioners to affirm their commitment to living peacefully by signing the banner before and after Sunday liturgies.
• Focus your Advent prayers —in class and in your personal life—on asking Jesus to bring peace into our world. Pray the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi and look for ways to make its words a reality in your life. Work with your class to write and pray a Prayer of the Faithful devoted to living peacefully.

As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, may your peace-seeking prayers and activities lead you to Bethlehem and the everlasting tranquility that only Jesus can bring.

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