“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will” (Luke 2:14).
This quote from St. Luke’s Gospel reminds us that Christmas is, above all, a celebration of peace. Shalom, the Hebrew word for “peace,” is much richer than our English counterpart. Shalom is not only the absence of conflict or violence but a feeling of wholeness, well-being, welfare, and security. The promise of Christmas is that Jesus is Emmanuel: “God with us.” We experience a deep, abiding peace in knowing that God is with us, or, as St. Augustine wrote, “closer to us than our own breath.” As followers of Christ, whose lives have been transformed by His peace, we are called to receive and share it with others. At Mass, through the Kiss of Peace, we ritualize our call to be channels of Christ’s peace. The exchange of the Sign of Peace takes place just before we receive Christ in the Eucharist, reminding us that the same hand that reaches out to receive Christ in the Eucharist must also reach out to receive Christ in each other.
Perhaps there is no better time to do so than during the Christmas Season. But how? We must first experience peace within ourselves. This comes through time in prayer, seeking the Lord in quiet during the noise of the season. It also comes from celebrating—with the community—the liturgies throughout the entire Christmas Season, with its many bright feasts. God is with us!
Furthermore, we make our homes places of peace by showing family members kindness and patience. We may also be instruments of peace for the lonely, homebound, or those hurting after the death of a loved one; a phone call, a visit, or even a handwritten note can bring them comfort. We bring peace to others by practicing generosity and compassion, such as by supporting our parish outreach ministries, donating to a family in need, or simply taking time to listen to someone. Moreover, when we encounter someone who thinks very differently from us, we bring peace by seeking to understand before being understood. In a world marked by division, fear, and noise, people long for peace. We share that peace when we live our faith with hope and joy, especially during this Christmas Season!
