John called the crowds to prepare the way for the Lord — Jesus wasn’t going to do all the work himself. The same is true today.

Prayer – It’s something that Christians hold central to their relationship with God, and yet it can often seem elusive.

How will the Messiah bring about change in the world? How will he promote harmony between people?

May our ears listen graciously, may our actions speak of love, and may our footsteps warm the earth with peace, for we know where our journey leads.

As you move through your day, I encourage you to remember to be peacemakers, to spread kindness, walk humbly and trust in God.

God is a God of the vulnerable, and the peace for which the Psalmist begs in the last four verses today will only exist in Jerusalem when we recognize the injustice of the occupation and cry out for the justice that is in God’s heart.

What better advent gift can we give ourselves and those we love, indeed, all of humanity, than the gift of lasting peace? The choice is ours.