Gifts of Peace
By Sister Mary Berchmans Hannan ’48 & ’50, VHM
As the gentle, quiet, thoughtful season of Advent flows brilliantly into Christmas Eve, we are awakened to feelings of new life as joyful bells and organ blasts accompany angelic cries of “Glory to God in the highest… and peace on earth to people of good will.” The miracle of Christmas has happened once again!
What message are these joyful cries of peace and good will announcing to our troubled world today, in which far too many are experiencing hardships caused by the trampling of human rights?
Christmas is the feast of God’s tremendous love in responding to a world that from its very beginning has failed to heed His call to peace and good will.
But look around! Reflect on the countless acts of generosity that surround us each day, but very particularly at this time of the year. Our mailboxes overflow with requests to support a myriad of good causes born and fostered by people of good will. Their kindness surely is a prayerful and laden response to offer peace to the suffering.
During this Christmas season, let’s respond wholeheartedly to the gifts of peace encouraged by two Saints, Francis of Assisi and Francis de Sales – the one who prayed, “Lord make me an instrument of your peace – where there is darkness let me bring light,” and the one who encourages us to find peaceful strength when confronted by unique challenges:
“Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same loving Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”
May the blessings of this beautiful feast commemorating God’s gift of peace overflow into your lives; this is the Christmas prayer of the Sisters of the Visitation to all!