PEACE THROUGH PRAYER

Every year at Christmas, people wish for peace on earth. But this has been a tough year. Our country is talking about going to war, and other countries are already having wars. You might wonder: Can peace on earth really happen?

This week's Gospel (Luke 1:26-38) was about that kind of wondering. Mary was just a teenager, not even married to Joseph yet, when she found out she was going to be a mother -- and not just any mother, but the mother of Jesus!

Mary probably thought the angel who gave her the news was crazy. How could she have God's Son? Who could be good enough to be Jesus' mom? Wouldn't Joseph be scared and upset when he found out?

Some people think it's crazy to wish for peace on earth, too. They know that for peace to happen, everyone who's fighting would have to stop. Everyone who's going to war would have to find ways to be at peace instead, and the countries that are making bombs would have to stop.

When Mary told the angel how scared she was, the angel gave her important advice: Nothing is impossible for God. God could make her Jesus' mother, and God could give her the strength to do that job right. God could even help Joseph to not be scared.

God can help us, too. If we really want peace on earth, everyone has to turn to God. Jesus won't snap His fingers and make everyone stop fighting, but He will show us how to do that ourselves.

On the first Christmas, Mary prayed for peace in her own heart. This Christmas, that's a good place for us to start.