path of peace by Mujaddara [CC BY-SA 3.0] via wikimedia commons
Gracious God,
Grant that we may find peace as we prepare for our Lord’s birth.
May divisions in ourselves and in our families be peacefully resolved.
May there be peace in our cities and in the countries of our world.
Help us to see the paths of peace in our lives,
and then give to us courage to follow them.
Lord, let us remember that you only are the giver of lasting peace
and that you are always with us.
Amen.
Scot McKnight, American New Testament Scholar
sourced from his blog Jesus Creed
_________________
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
prayer & verse 
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