This past Sunday we lit the Advent Candle of Peace . . .

This past Sunday we lit the Advent Candle of Peace, and began preparing for that holy and silent night on which the angels will sing of “peace on earth.”  However, given the current state of global affairs, one wonders if such a thing is even possible, let alone achievable!

Right now there are more than thirty wars being waged around the world.  Some are large and widely reported; others are smaller and mostly go unnoticed by the media.  But the fact that, as you read this, almost one-third of the world’s countries are involved in some kind of military conflict makes the promise of “peace on earth” seem hopelessly remote.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”  Notice that he did not say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers”—folks who are so desperate to keep everybody happy that, when conflicts arise, they either minimize the problem or pretend that it doesn’t exist.  Neither did he say, “Blessed are the peaceable”—folks who are so unnerved by conflict that they will agree with pretty much anyone, on pretty much anything, just to avoid having an argument.

So how do we go about becoming “peacemakers”?  If you ask me, a good start is to learn the distinction between reconciliation and resolution.  Granted, we often use these words interchangeably; but they actually have very different goals.  Reconciliation focuses on restoring a relationship with someone whom we have hurt or who has hurt us.  Resolution focuses on solving whatever issue caused that hurt in the first place.

Put another way, just because I’ve buried the hatchet with you does not mean that I’ve buried the issue.  The problem between us may still need to be resolved.  However, if I am reconciled with you first, then we can discuss and work on the problem with mutual respect and love, instead of sarcasm and anger.  Indeed, in my experience, once reconciliation occurs, the problem itself becomes more easily resolved.

On Christmas Eve, when the heavenly host signs of “peace on earth,” they are not suggesting that all of the world’s problems are suddenly resolved.  What they are proclaiming is that, with the birth of the Christ child, reconciliation is now made possible … and with reconciliation comes the possibility of resolution … and with resolution comes the promise of “peace on earth”!