While we participate in a farce of religious devotion during the Christmas Season -- wait a minute: "a farce"? How can we pretend some sort of "godly devotion" if we are planning to kill or are killing anyone? Does the Divine celebrate It's home in us by inspiring or requiring of us that we kill one another?
Sure, some people love to hate, or so it seems: but what responsibility do we share for our contributions to that hate? Peace begins right here: when we begin to look at ourselves honestly, and also the willingness to look at ourselves through the eyes of those who are our "enemies". Are you willing and able to bear this burden for peace?
Next, we must examine every public policy and economic practice that isolates or oppresses other people: do we know what the practices are of American corporations that operate in other countries? Are we aware of our national involvement in the internal affairs of other countries? Trust is another pillar of peace...
Finally, especially for Christians in this Season of Christmas, we must ask ourselves what our intentions are: are we willing to build the foundations of peace? What are these foundations? Aren't they the simple acknowledgement that every human being wants to be happy? That she wants to be safe? That he wants to be healthy? That they want so very much to be wanted? Respect for these foundations of peace, along with the sacred intention to secure these human wants for everyone, is peace!
Could there be a better Christmas gift to give your loved ones than your sacred promise to fully engage with your Divine Possibilities: and build peace into every aspect of your / our lives? Merry Christmas, indeed!