Yesterday, as part of our Advent Candle Lighting tradition, we lit the Candle of Peace. As Christians we are called to pray for peace, to work for peace and to live peaceful lives. But what does "peace" mean in our world today? Is peace simply the absence of war, or is peace something deeper?

The prophet Jeremiah struggled with peace in his day. In Jeremiah 6:14 we read, "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace."

We sometimes refer to Jesus as "The Prince of Peace." Jesus teaches us that it is not enough to ignore our enemies, we are to love them. Jesus teaches us that our call to peace goes even to turning the other cheek. We are not to meet violence with violence. We are to live as people who seek peace in all we do.

During this Advent season where do you see peace? How do you experience peace? In what ways do you practice peace? Jesus the Christ came into the world as a peaceful baby. What message of peace does the Christ child have for our world today?