And on Earth, Peace: A Prayer at Christmas

“”Now in that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watching over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord….And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!” (Luke 2:8-14)

Glorious God, who dared to become flesh among us in the baby Jesus, who sent angels to proclaim peace to all…

We crave the peace promised in the stillness of this silent night. Our hearts long for the serenity we imagine on the night when Jesus was born, with shepherds and animals gathered round him in the warmth of a stable fragrant with hay. We need the simplicity of that scene, the beauty of the angels singing from on high, the blessed surprise of a babe born in a manger.

For our own lives are cluttered with sorrow and worry. Our world quakes with wars that never end, with unrest that leaves lives destroyed, with collapsing governments and bitter injustices and fast-paced changes that leave us reeling. We weep over the griefs that weigh so heavily, and shudder at the uncertainties ahead.

Remind us, O God, that such was the nature of the world into which you were born on this holy night so long ago. Empires ruled without compassion. Even Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were made refugees, forced to flee for safety. People struggled with deep fears and loneliness and doubts. Life was riddled with hardships.

Yet into all of that messiness you chose to come and be among us, taking on our vulnerable form, just so we would know how magnificent was your love for us, how much hope you had for us, how very much you longed to be powerfully and undeniably present with us.

Emmanuel, we thank you for this wondrous gift. Like the shepherds on the hillsides that night we confess we cannot comprehend it. But we are hungry for the good news of angels, eager for the proclamation of peace. Fix our hearts on you this Christmas, blessed God, and help us trust in the promises of this season. And move us to be living signs of hope in our world today. Make us ambassadors of peace, in our homes and communities and world. Fill us with the kind of extraordinary, surprising love you made known at Christmas, and cause us to share that love in every way and place we can.

In the name of Jesus, born among us, love incarnate. Amen.

The Reverend Shari Prestemon began her service with the national ministries of the United Church of Christ in January 2024. As the Acting Associate General Minister & Co-Executive for Global Ministries she has the privilege of supporting several teams: Global Ministries, Global H.O.P.E., Public Policy & Advocacy Team (Washington, D.C.), our staff liaison at the United Nations, and our Gender & Sexuality Justice Team. She previously served as a local church pastor in Illinois and Wisconsin, the Executive Director at Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the Minnesota Conference Minister. Her call to ministry grew, in part, from early Global Ministries experiences, especially service as a Peace & Justice Intern in Dumaguete City, the Philippines.