The Things that Make for Peace
by Tracy Young

As [Jesus] came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying,
"If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!
But now they are hidden from your eyes."

~ Luke 19:41-42

The things that make for peace.

Surely the violence and anger, the fear and loss that we see replayed over and over again in the Middle East, in the birthplace of our Savior and our faith, are not the things that make for peace. It's not too hard to imagine Jesus looking out over Jerusalem today and making the same lament once again. If only we could recognize what makes for peace! If only our eyes could be uncovered.

Remi Elchanan is just one of many in the Middle East who recognizes one small way towards peace. More than a decade ago, Remi lost his fourteen-year-old daughter to two Palestinian suicide bombers. Anger and the desire for revenge filled his heart. A year after his devastating loss, a friend invited him to join a bereaved parents group - one comprised of both Palestinians and Israelis who had lost children to the violence. It was in this group that Remi channeled his anger into listening and learning. "If we," said Remi, "who paid the highest price possible, can talk to each other, then anyone can."

Remi now speaks to high schools and other groups with a Palestinian partner who lost his son to an Israeli mortar attack. These talks are often the first time the young people have heard another side to the story, or seen an Israeli and a Palestinian calling one another "brother." Remi's pain and desire for vengeance could have shut his eyes forever to things that make for peace, but now he stands alongside those who would be called the enemy, working, bit by bit, for reconciliation.

The things that make for peace are not always easy things, and maybe that's why they are often hidden from our eyes. Maybe we don't want to see the hard work and sacrifices that peacebuilding and reconciliation may require of us. Perhaps we position our Christmas tidings of peace and goodwill too close to our Santa Claus fantasies. "Peace" becomes a shiny, empty Christmas accessory, as relevant and possible as a flying reindeer, that we pull out and half-heartedly ponder once a year, before we pack it back up with the tinsel.

This Advent season, let's do better than that. As we prepare for the Prince of Peace, let's keep our eyes - and ears and hearts - open for the things that make for peace.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, we ask you to give us the wisdom, strength and perseverance to do those things that make for peace, especially the hard things that require our humility, our patience, and our restraint. We pray for the Middle East, and especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ who keep the faith often in isolation. Sustain the church's presence there, and let our witness for peace be heard.

Pursue Peace
In 2007, the Office of Social Justice led a small group of Christian Reformed members and staff on a study trip to the Middle East in order to learn about and look for opportunities for the denomination to support peace and justice in this violent corner of the world. The study team wrote up an engaging narrative of their time in the Middle East, including action suggestions for the denomination and individuals. Read about the team's experience here, then consider these other resources for a study group in your church or family.

Tracy Young is communications consultant for the Office of Social Justice.