December 24, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

My favorite Christmas story – which you probably remember – is about an experience of mine. This is the story that I tell repeatedly each Christmas. This is the story about the time that my niece and nephew asked me to join them when they went to the hospital for the birth of their second child, Will. He is now 28 years old, so you see how many years I have been retelling that story. I am certain I have told the story thousands of times. It was an experience that has helped me understand the Nativity of Jesus in a better way. Each Christmas, as I remember the Gospel story of Jesus’ birth and my own experience at Will’s birth, I realize an important lesson – Christ’s call for us all to be people of peace.

The Lord’s message of peace has been an important part of all that I do as a priest. Jesus continues to challenge me and all of disciples of the God to live a life of peace. Yet, I know only too well that this world continues to be scared with wars and violence. So, I again turn to you all to join me praying for peace for all people. I remember well the time that Pope Paul Vl came to speak at the United Nations so many years ago. His message was “Give peace a chance.” He also said, “If you want peace, work for justice.”

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), Jesus placed in the Beatitudes – Blessed are the peacemakers. Each Christmas the hymns call for a prayer for peace. The angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.” At Christmas, God does not send an army or a decree. He sends a Child – and He entrusts peace to human hearts to receive Him.

Peace is not just the absence of war; it is something deeper and richer. The Hebrew word for peace is “Shalom.” This word conveys a sense of completeness – a state of being. Peace is a state of inner calm and designates a right relationship with God and with others. Peace is a gift of God. It is a gift of Christmas. St. Francis of Assisi made peace the very center of his ministry. Throughout the centuries, St. Francis has been the most recognizable voice of peace. The Prayer of St. Francis begins: “Lord make me an instrument of peace.” He calls us to him being peacemakers – living in humility, mercy, forgiveness and love.

Pope John XXIII, the pope who convened the Second Vatican Council, was certainly a pope of peace. He wrote an encyclical entitled, “Pacem in Terris.” He wrote: “Peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day. Peace is the presence of Justice.” He calls upon us to make our lives an image of peaceful living. Mother Teresa spoke of peace often. She writes, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Her Christmas message is, “What can we do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”.

Our gift to God is to make peace with one another. Pope Francis spoke of peace often. Peace is not made at a desk. Peace is made in the heart. Thinking of Christmas, Pope Francis wrote, “The Son of God came into the world as a baby to show us the power of God’s love.” My gift to you all is remember you all in my Christmas Masses.