In the Jewish Bible the theme of "peace on earth" abounds. The meanings of this phrase are several: peace describes a state of living in which rest and well being abound. Peace may be applied to a state of existence between persons and communities in which concord rules. Moving into a more specific Christian context peace comes as a gift of salvation from God, where peace is one at rest in God or in reconciliation with God. In Creation God brought forth order from chaos and blessed humankind with the gifts of creation. This relationship of God to Creation where peace and harmony ruled is the state that God intends for all of humanity, person to person, community to community, humanity to God. The New Testament writer, Paul, the founder of so many Christian churches around the Mediterranean world, challenged the churches to exhibit such a harmony of relationship in each community so that not only the absence of conflict, but the quality of relatedness which embodies the will of God and the mind of Christ would exist in each place.

With all of the events of this fall, with the resurgence of conflict in parts of the world where it looked like the road to peace was being traveled, this particular Holiday time challenges persons of faith and persons of no particular faith to think about peace in the world and in their own lives. There is a relationship between the kind of peace one feels in one's heart and the kind of peace, which one lives in one's life. Some might say that with so many homes in turmoil, where there is not anything like the quality of relatedness hinted at above, it is no wonder that people speak and behave in ways which seems to make a home of peace, much less a world of peace, a pipe dream, or a goal that is impossible to strive for.

Yet, expressions of peaceful acts and relationships abound. Look at the prayers of peace offered by so many people's and faiths. Prayer services for peace continue, taking on even more significance in the wake of efforts to heal the deep wounds of September 11. People in my office, and those of my colleagues, are angry and hurt by their behaviors and those of others they love and wish to see if they can change it in some way to make it better. They wonder if they can be a family that can live at least within tolerable limits of the pain that comes from love and intimacy. Peaceful gestures such as community meetings set up for people of different faiths and national backgrounds to come together to learn about each other. The recent interfaith Thanksgiving service and the open house at the Tawheed Center, the Islamic House of worship here in Farmington Hills are two examples of this. Giving of money and time and items of need to the various charities with renewed emphasis are ways to create peace.

In the home as many of us approach the time of celebrating again the birth of the "Prince of Peace" there are some things which we can do. Be thankful for those around you who you love. If there is one in your circle of family or friends who you do not feel at peace with, this may be the time to reach out with an olive branch. Help your children to learn safe and constructive ways of disagreement and conflict resolution. Let them watch you and your partner as you practice such behaviors. Actions do speak louder than words and behaviors geared toward peace are examples of the possibilities as well as results of different motives. What do you value most, the satisfaction of your own needs exclusively or the gift of life itself?

We in the Christian community directly confront the issue of peace in this time of the church year. But our brothers and sisters of other faiths and persons who perhaps have constructed their own spiritualities still struggle with the ways in which people need to live together at least toleration, if not something close to peace, so that all of our lives may go on. Three of the world's religions pray to a God of Peace. All of our prayers, in Christmas, in Hanukkah, in Ramadan, in other ways of other faiths, are for peace this year. Peace in the World and Peace in the Home.

Paul Melrose is Parish Assistant and Pastoral Psychotherapist at Milford Presbyterian Church. He can be reached at www.paulmelrose.com, pjmelrose@provide.net or 248-684-2805.