Millions worldwide of many religious traditions marched, demonstrated, pleaded, and prayed for peace. The war in Iraq was a threatening menace to global stability and the doctrine of pre-emptive first strike felt contrary to God’s will for nations in relationships. Many of our reflections and actions focused on avoiding the bloodshed that was feared. Multitudes felt war should be avoided using alternative means of dealing with a brutal dictatorship. All efforts to prevent war were unsuccessful and 2003 has been a year of unrelenting sorrow and suffering for combatants and innocents alike.

For those in Christian communities Advent provides another opportunity to preach and pray and study the words of the prophets of ancient Israel and their anticipation of a savior to come and change the world order as it was then known. Christians search our sacred literature for meaning in the announcements and then fulfillment in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. We celebrate the Prince of Peace as God’s gift to the world, heralded by workers and kings alike. We acknowledge that Jesus was born in an occupied country, ruled by an occupying government which was hated by the people. Finally in Christmastide many look very sadly at the massacre of the innocent children which forced Mary and Joseph and Jesus into exile as refugees in a foreign land.

In Advent and Christmas in 2003 we proclaim the same savior and announce the same intention of God as in previous years, but we have a different context. The pre-emptive nature of this aggression in Iraq and the disregard for international opinion and support have placed our country and all of its citizens in a difficult and dangerous position. The entire world is touched by the reality of war.

As our communities prepare for Advent and Christmas in 2003, United For Peace – Faithful Citizenship invites and encourages all Christian congregations to celebrate the birth of "the Prince of Peace’. As an interfaith organization devoted to peaceful resolutions of conflict, we offer encouragement to all faith communities to incorporate the message of peace in daily and weekly worship leadership.

The common lectionary provides many opportunities for reflection on the Word of God for this time.

We have attached a listing of some passages from the lectionary which we believe underscores God’s will for peace. Each religious tradition provides ample liturgical resources to help shape each particular approach. We add support for each leader who works for peace and proclaims God’s purpose of peace, shalom, salaam. We believe that Advent and Christmas are appropriate opportunities to address the reality of war and provide peaceful alternatives for our nation and all nations.

We offer prayers for all the leaders of the world, especially the elected and appointed leaders of the USA that each will in his or her own heart and mind search for the guidance of God in pursuit of peace. We wish for all leaders to know that many, many faithful citizens will be supportive of every effort to end this conflict and find ways to move toward peace with justice and dignity for all.

As members of UNITED FOR PEACE, FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP we stand ready to assist as we are able and pray for all religious leaders in this most significant season of hope for peace in the world. Our website will provide peace liturgical resources for peace as they become available and may be found at

http://www.grassrootsvoices.org/advent2003.html Our office phone is 312-427-2533; fax 312-427-4171