Christmas 2002 -- Message from John McConnell
PEACE: Personal, Global -- Bush and Bin Laden
What Christmas Message would appeal to the most people -- and do the most good?
While today we live in a confused world of hate and violence, in this Christmas season radio and TV have wonderful Christmas Carols: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing...Peace on Earth, good will to men."
Though Christmas is misused by many businesses -- who make more money by featuring Santa Claus instead of the Babe in the Manger -- the spirit of the average person is lifted by the Christmas season.
This Christmas we have a global enigma. The most powerful nation in the world claims to be a Christian Nation and its actions make a mockery of all Jesus said and did.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the Peacemakers." President Bush and Bin Laden have one thing in common -- they are both war makers. Bush spends billions of dollars for devilish weapons of war. Had that money been spent in support of peacemaking education and actions, we would have eliminated war on our planet.
Instead of killing the killers, we would have addressed the cause of their actions. Peace comes by understanding our adversary and focus on the real causes of our differences. This will always lead to nonviolent resolution of conflict.
It is time for the peacemakers of the world to unite in faith and love -- and take the needed action. Our time, money and effort can, and must, now eliminate the basic causes of hate, violence and war. Our peacemaking actions will be more powerful than the military actions of World War II. But instead of resulting in dead enemies our actions will result in new friends.
All individuals and groups that believe in the power of prayer can help spread the power of their faith by sharing their prayers and the results with friends -- "Oh the faith that works by love. Will move the mountains when we pray. Oh the faith that works by love.. will turn the darkness into day."
A sense of stewardship by leaders and laymen is what we need. Our amazing home, Planet Earth, will provide a great future for the whole human family as we unite in peaceful efforts for Earth's rejuvenation. Pray that each of us will find what we can do to aid this goal.
In this Christmas season let us capture the real meaning of Christmas. "Peace on Earth" was the message of Christmas. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "Blessed are the Peacemakers."
The word "Peace" (Pacem in Latin) means to agree. Filled with the love and joy of Christmas we now have an opportunity to find common ground that will bring us to higher ground -- and new ways to cooperate for mutual goals.
Global attention is needed for a common cause -- the rejuvenation of Earth with fair benefits for all its people. How this is done should be a local decision -- guided by reverence for life and aided by the power of prayer and divine love.
We can make this new millennium a new beginning of great promise for ourselves -- and the whole human family. The Peacemaker agenda points the way. Let each person prove the value of his faith by what he does to benefit people and planet.
May peace and faith for a better future reign in our hearts this momentous Christmas season.
"Let there be Peace On Earth -- and Let it begin with Me."
Best Wishes to you and your family,
John
and Anna McConnell
4924 E. Kentucky Circle
Denver, CO 80246
Founder Of Earth Day -- http://www.EarthSite.org
