For Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and wise men, the rulers of the time, and even the innkeeper, the Christmas narrative is a marking of profound, life altering change.  In many ways, when we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating change.

Three lessons we have learned over the last 50 years of advocacy centred on peacemaking and how that work has changed us and changed Canada. 

I love celebrating what makes Mennonites unique, and I also love exploring what I share with anyone, no matter where we come from. Beyond being Mennonite—and regardless of faith or cultural background—there is so much about being human and being alive that we share.

Let’s focus on long-term goals rather than crisis responses. Let’s remind ourselves that we continue to care about those beyond our borders. At our best moments, we can seek laughter and joy with those around us, rather than outrage.

Living in Colombia, one of my favourite things was feeling like I had the superpower to make people talk to me as I walked down the street.

It sounds like a cliché, but I always forget that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was a surprise.

Yet, as we call for disarmament in the Middle East, I’m pondering how to disarm my response to my fellow Canadians. These neighbours are also deeply impacted by what they are seeing on the news or, also like me, may know friends or family members in the midst of the conflict.

Every time I turn on my phone, I am bombarded with messages of devastation. Climate crisis! Housing and inflation! Protests! Polarization! How can we address these challenges if we never stop to examine what is still good and to rejoice in it? To find our moments by the creek and live out the goodness we want to grow into the future? To remember what we love about our family, friends and communities?

We all see the world in a slightly different and unique way. I needed Colourful Pants Day to see my city differently. Saul needed Ananias to help transform his vision and lead him into his new faith.

In fact, how can we ever expect to see an entire picture on our own? Each of us has a unique perspective, based on our culture, family and experiences. Like Saul, we might have the best intentions. But it often takes other people to help us see the impact of our actions and a different way forward.

I’ve come to see that peace is a way of moving and being as a physical person in the world, rather than a feeling or a major accomplishment. The paradox is, that this way of connecting with our bodies, as temples, can also help pave the way for those feelings and big activities as well.

Rather than being abstract, peace is sensational!