Conversation Point

Prince of Peacemakers

The saga of the Colorado Peace Wreath appears to have come to a close. In the most simple of terms, residents of a condominium development hung a peace sign-shaped Christmas wreath on the outside of their unit. Some of their neighbors, including several members of the condo association board, found it objectionable and divisive, the latter grounds to require its removal, or face $25 per day fines through and until its removal.

The inevitable questions about who determines what is appropriate in a housing development, whether it be parking spaces, plantings, trash disposal or holiday decorations, can seem rather petty and insignificant because that is what they are. Having lived in one such neighborhood for ten years means I won't be headed down that road for a long time, if ever again. Something about being able to enforce rules on one's immediate surroundings and fellow human beings appeals to a certain mindset of people, some of whom gravitate to what can be a very nice lifestyle in shared community. But, as we all learned in kindergarten, one or two people who don't want to play nice and share can make for a miserable time for all. Keeping the peace becomes only a stop gap measure. Eventually, making peace becomes the issue, and working for peace usually stirs up the stink a bit.

One of the problems stated for requiring the wreath be removed was that fellow condo owners have children serving in the Iraq war. These parents were said to feel insulted, as if the people displaying the wreath were not being respectful of their children's service to the country. According to several news reports, no one directly approached the wreath hangers with those feelings. That being said, I suspect these negative feelings existed in the minds of association members who were not so much concerned with the war as they were with their own need to control. In the three plus years we have been fighting this war in Iraq, I have not heard anything but support for the people actually employed to deal with it on our behalf. My guess is that almost to a person the people fighting this war would say peace is a very good thing indeed, and something we should all support. If we are not waging this war toward the goal of a lasting peace, why are we in Iraq?

Speaking of peace is hazardous business these days, just as much so as when this time we call Advent invested itself among a people aching for even the slightest hope that their God would save them from the oppression and turmoil under which they had suffered for far too long. Many prophets spoke their visions of a Messiah, a Savior who would lead them to peace in righteousness and truth. Many of those prophets had short lives because the present ruler was uncomfortable with their message.

Isaiah was one of them. "The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppression, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the trampling warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 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 forever more. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (Isaiah 9:2-7)."

Later on, years later, Jesus would speak of his own mission to bring not peace, but a sword. Those who speak of peace openly often expose old, deep wounds that shriek their pain in many ways that don't make immediate sense. What is happening now in Iraq is looking more and more like Vietnam forty years ago, a time when our troops were not given credit for their support for their country, or support to deal with what they endured while serving. Talking about peace now, openly, means dealing with the murky waters of wars long declared over on the battle field that we have not finished fighting among ourselves here at home. Jesus would also, in his Sermon on the Mount, speak of peacemakers as the children of God. Leaders open the dialogue, and the followers must carry on the work together.

After the story of the Colorado Peace Wreath became public, so did a huge amount of support from all areas of the country, including people who saw the wreath as supportive of their children serving in the military. The condo board said the wreath could remain in place, extended their apologies and then, three board members resigned. The couple who hung the wreath were pleased that their message of peace was heard. That was what they wanted. And therein lies a great lesson as we enter the season of Advent: let the message of peace be heard.

posted by Cory L. Kemp @ 5:37 PM