Peace
Advent moves towards Christmas with peace and calm.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 King James Version
"Peace!" the angel announced. But peace is as much task as gift. Only if we become calm as earth, fluid as water, and blazing as fire will we able to rise to the task of peacemaking, and the air will stir with the rush of wings of angels arriving to help us. This is why I wish you that great inner stillness which alone allows us to speak, even today, without irony, of "peace on earth" and, without despair, to work for it.
--Brother David Steindl-Rast
Br. David shares ideas for peacemaking. He suggests "the air will stir with a rush of wings of angels arriving to help us."
Today, several people at the store were thoughtful and kind:
A tall, kind person reached the cereal on the top shelf. She smiled under her face covering as she handed the raisin bran down to me.
Two electricians; the one on the scissor lift, the other on the floor preparing the new light fixture for hanging, were cheerful as they worked. Their positive attitudes radiated throughout the store.
The busy women restocking the frozen foods took a moment to say hello.
Joy was shared by the woman who checked out the groceries. Her smiling eyes sparkled above her Christmas-decorated face covering.
The rush of wings of angels. . . perhaps these people were acting as angels who did not know they were angels.
Their kindnesses moved ordinary shopping towards “peace on earth”.
The trees and the grasses change from fall to winter, to spring and to summer. A quietness lingers as the seasons change. That "inner stillness" comes to people, too.
Please know that your own kindness to yourself and others makes the world a better place. By being true to yourself, you bring the gift of your presence. One of a kind. Unique. Thank you for living your part in this gift of life. You are appreciated.
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