This Advent, as we await the birth of the Peace of Christ, we remember that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice…
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again” (Isaiah 2:4).
This passage from Isaiah is always one of the first to appear in the lectionary readings during Advent. In her reflection on this passage in this year’s Advent reflection booklet, Pax Christi International Co-President Marie Dennis tells us:
“In these days, we anticipate a holy season in which peace is a defining theme. Yet we hear Isaiah’s description of Pax Christi, the peace of Christ, in the context of a violent and violated world, where swords and spears abound and a torrent of small arms have together become weapons of mass destruction. In these days, we prepare for the Prince of Peace, but the deep roots of violence are nurtured all around us. We imagine what now seems impossible—’nor shall they train for war again’—while massive treasure and talent are invested in weapons and war-making. We know that war, violence, and the New Creation cannot co-exist. As Christians, our worldview is defined by hope—hope for a real world without destructive violence.
“We human beings are subjects of a future in which life can be protected, not victims of a future over which we have no control. The work of Pax Christi—and of so many others—around the world in situations of incredible violence gives testimony to that belief…”
We hope that, during this season of anticipation, you may find everywhere reasons to believe that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice and peace. We hope that the resources for prayer, study and action below will help to deepen your witness to peace with justice, and the witness of your community, this Advent season.
RESOURCES
- Pax Christi USA’s 2012 Advent Reflection Booklet, Voices of Hope, Women of Wisdom, by Marie Dennis, Sr. Dianna Ortiz, Cathy Woodson, and Mary Jo Iozzio
- Other sales resources for Advent and Christmas from Pax Christi USA
- Pax Christi Metro New York’s Anti-war Toys Campaign: A leaflet on why not to buy war toys, Christian version, in MSWord and PDF; the same leaflet, non-religious version, in MSWord and PDF; a letter to the editor, Christian version in MSWord and non-religious version in MSWord
- Light Up Your Advent: Resources from US Catholic
- Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas, by Bill McKibben
- Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season, by Jean C. Staeheli
REFLECTIONS FOR SUNDAYS AND HOLY DAYS
Below you’ll find reflections from over the years from a variety of authors of Pax Christi USA Advent reflection booklets. We will try and post reflections for upcoming Sundays on the preceding Tuesday.
- First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2012, by Marie Dennis
- Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, December 8, 2012, by Nancy Small
- Second Sunday of Advent, December 9, 2012, by Mary Lou Kownacki, osb
- International Day for Human Rights, December 10, 2012, by Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12,2012, by Sr. Esther Pineda, CSJ
- Third Sunday of Advent, December 16, 2012, by Mary Jo Iozzio
- Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23, 2012, by Doris Donnelly
- Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012, by Sr. Jamie T. Phelps, OP, Ph.D
- Christmas, December 25, 2012, by Cathy Woodson
- Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28, 2012, by Rose Marie Berger
- Feast of the Holy Family, December 30, 2012, by Beatrice Parwatikar
- Solemnity of Mary-World Day of Peace-New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013, by Donna Toliver Grimes
- The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, January 6, 2013, by Judy Coode
PRAY-STUDY-ACT DURING ADVENT
- PSA e-bulletin for First Week of Advent, Dec. 2-8, 2012
- PSA e-bulletin for Second Week of Advent, Dec. 9-15, 2012
- PSA e-bulletin: Observing Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, 2012
- PSA e-bulletin for Third Week of Advent, December 16-22, 2012
- PSA e-bulletin for Fourth Week of Advent/Christmas Week, December 23-29, 2012
- PSA e-bulletin: The New Year, 2013
- Scroll through the archives to see past Advent PSA’s…
The Christmas toy buying guide was very helpful .Years ago I had a flyer from the war resisters league. This will take it’s place.
Thanks,
Pat
The Pax Christi affiliated St. Susanna Parish in Dedham has, for the past 4 years, addressed the issue of No War Toys through our Peace and Justice committee. This year, we will speak to the congregation after masses, have a display in our Peace Chapel dedicated to nonviolent peacemakers, and hand out bright ornaments with these quotes affixed:
“Let us say to each child, “Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the world there is no other child exactly like you. In the millions of years that have passed, there has never been a child like you…and when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must cherish one another…” Pablo Casals
“Let us therefore, follow after the things that make for peace…” Romans
This Christmas, please give to children only those gifts that build the peace of Jesus.
(Should you like to duplicate this, I would gladly e-mail the pdf format. Contact patferrone@rcn.com)
Pat, Pax Christ MA board member
wonderful article and helpful Christmas ideas. My prayer is “Keep Christ in Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season. LESS MATERALISM! help the needy, food, clothes and shelter. Love one another even if hard to!
Sincerely., Regina Elliott
During this past Advent I took it upon myself to spread the meaning of the word “SHALOM.” Most know that the Hebrew word “shalom” is understood around the world to mean “peace.” However “peace” is only one small part of the meaning. “Shalom” is used to both greet people and to bid them farewell. According to Strong’s Concordance 7965, “shalom” means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. Of course, there’s only one way to find True “shalom,” and that is in the Word of YHWH. So I offer SHALOM to you!
As it is now the second week of Advent and Christmas Eve is exactly two weeks from today. And it is the season of happiness and merrymaking. This upcoming season commemorates the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ whom God had sent into this world to save us from all of our sins and total disasters our first parents brought on us.