Advent: Peace Isn't Passive

1. A Prayer For The People of God
O God of all the prophets,
you herald the coming of the Son of Man
by wondrous signs in the heavens and on the earth.
Guard our hearts from despair so that we,
in the company of the faithful,
and by the power of your Holy Spirit,
may be found ready to raise our heads
at the coming near of our redemption,
the day of Jesus Christ. Amen.

3. True peace is not
the absence of conflict,
but the presence of justice.
Martin Luther King Jr.

4. ADVENT ~ Week 1
Christmas
BellsHenryWadsworthLongfellow(1807-
1882)

5. ADVENT ~ Week 1
IHeardThe
Bellson
ChristmasDay
John Gorka

7. ADVENT ~ Week 1
MilitantPeace
DennisR.Edwards

8. ADVENT ~ Week 1

9. ADVENT ~ Week 1
MilitantPeace
DennisR.Edwards

10. ADVENT ~ Week 1Ara Pacis Augustae, Rome

11. Templum Pacis, Rome

12. Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those
whom God favors (NIV)
Glory to God in the highest places,
and peace on earth
among men of good will (DBH)

13. Militant peace requires strong action,
but not violence.
Militant peace requires tenacity,
and not passivity.
Militant peace is rooted in love.
Dennis R. Edwards

14. Mary sings about God taking down
the powerful. Both she and Zechariah
sing of a time when peace would mean
the absence of oppressors, as life
would flourish under the reign of God.
Political Well Being

15. God lifts up the lowly (Luke 1:52),
satisfies the needy, while sending
the rich away empty (Luke 1:53).
In other words, the typical way
of the world is reversed. The poor are
no longer exploited. Oppressive conditions
are alleviated while physical
needs are met.
Material Well Being

16. The message of Advent proclaims
that God‘s salvation consists of peace –
reconciliation with God...the world
can know at least some of God‘s peace
as it awaits another visit from Jesus
that will usher in full salvation.
Spiritual Well Being

17. Advent, the time of waiting for the coming
of Jesus, reminds us that Jesus is about peace,
but not peace in the way of the world…
The Lord’s peace is tenacious; it is militant.
It pushes away evil forces in the world,
pushes away oppression, and even
pushes away all the damage sin
has brought to our souls.
Dennis R. Edwards

19. ADVENT ~ Week 1
IHeardThe
Bellson
ChristmasDay

20. And in despair I
bowed my head
“There is no peace
on earth,” I said,
“But hate is strong and
mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-
will to men”
Then peeled the bells,
more loud and deep
“God is not dead, nor
doth He sleep!
The Wrong shall fail, the