God of Christmas, God of Jesus,

Two thousand years ago Rome had a plan to establish and keep peace through violence and victory, oppression and injustice in pursuit of power

Two thousand years ago you had a different plan to establish and keep peace through non-violence and equality, righteousness and justice in pursuit of shalom.

Rome’s plan began with an armed and seasoned military whose leader was called Caesar. Your plan began with an unarmed peasant baby boy called Jesus.

Caesar offered the darkness of a hostile exclusive human power. Jesus offered the light of a loving inclusive God.

The story of baby Jesus’s illuminating birth – and the promise of his life that unfolded so profoundly– always, always attracts us to the Christmas promise of peace through non-violence and equality, through justice and love.

While humanity still struggles to seek peace through violence and victory, we find hope in the darkness of that seemingly endless struggle through the light of that which was brought to us on Christmas day through the Way that Jesus taught us; through the Way we ache to follow.

Teach us, guide us dear God to turn to the promise baby Jesus offers, the promise that he grew up to be, the man who lived his life as your hands and your feet and your ears and your mouth. Lead us God to understand that through Jesus we too can be your presence on earth, that together we can bring about the glorious promise of Christmas Day. The promise of peace and love, of shalom for all creation. Help us understand it is not an empty promise by a far away God, but a real promise by an ever present loving God.

Amen

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