The Second Sunday of Advent arrives each year as a quiet invitation to contemplate the peace promised with the coming of Christ. He offered a peace unlike any the world could bestow, a solace for troubled hearts and a shield against fear – a promise echoed in the soaring notes of Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus. Yet, for countless individuals across the globe, peace remains a distant hope.
This isn’t merely a matter of abstract longing. It’s a brutal reality for people of faith, regardless of their beliefs, who increasingly face restrictions on their most fundamental human rights. The freedom to believe, to worship, to live according to one’s conscience is being systematically eroded, replaced by repression and, all too often, violent persecution.
The stories are heartbreaking and numerous. Christians targeted in sacred spaces in Nigeria, Uyghur Muslims imprisoned in camps in China, Baha’is and Jews facing discrimination in Iran, Hazara Shia Muslims enduring violence in Afghanistan, Assyrians, Rohingya, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, Ahmadiyya Muslims – the list stretches on, a testament to the widespread denial of religious freedom. For these communities, and for those who champion their rights, peace can feel impossibly out of reach.
But the Christmas story isn’t simply a tale of idyllic beginnings. It’s the opening chapter of a life lived with extraordinary courage, a divine act unfolding in humble circumstances. Christ didn’t arrive in comfort; his birth was a catalyst for change, a disruption of the status quo.
He preached peace not as a passive acceptance of injustice, but as an active pursuit of righteousness. He challenged traditions, offered a new perspective, and modeled humility, extending reconciliation even to those considered enemies. True peace, as Christ demonstrated, demands boldness, a willingness to stand for what is right while recognizing the inherent dignity in every human being.
In a world fractured by division, the call to build bridges of peace can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to dismiss peace as a miraculous aspiration, beyond the grasp of ordinary people. Yet, through work with the annual International Religious Freedom Summit, we’ve witnessed a powerful counter-narrative.
Each year, the Summit unites thousands of advocates from diverse faith traditions. They set aside theological differences, cultural divides, and political disagreements to stand together, united by a shared commitment to human dignity and the fundamental right to worship freely. The focus isn’t *what* someone believes, but *that* they are free to believe it without fear.
This gathering offers a tangible model of peace, a beacon of hope in a world consumed by conflict. It demonstrates that unity is possible, even amidst profound disagreement. It’s a living example of what peace can look like when people prioritize shared values over divisive ideologies.
This Advent Peace Sunday, we find inspiration in the scripture that speaks of Christ coming to “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” We also draw strength from the countless advocates and activists who tirelessly champion religious freedom, embodying the spirit of active, not passive, peacemaking.
“Peace on earth” remains an aspiration, not a reality. But by standing together, advocating for the freedom of religion and belief for all, we can begin to envision a world where peace isn’t just a dream, but a lived experience.
