Swords into plowshares
About this blog
Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Recent posts
- Do one thing for diversity and inclusion
- Palestinian prisoners, Israel agree to end of hunger strike
- A call from the Madagascar Council of Churches
- Authorize a Violence Against Women Act consistent with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) policy
- Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike
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Archives
Posts with category: Advent
December 25, 20112011 Advent Devotion- Sunday, December 25
Sunday, December 25
1 John 4:7-16
Christmas is here! Baby Jesus is sleeping in the manger as two exhausted parents look on. The shepherds are still in a state of amazement from having heard the heavenly choir singing, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace to all on earth!”
And for us—mission accomplished. Cantatas concluded. Food baskets delivered. Christmas card list tucked away. Annual obligations to be with those certain family members or neighbors or colleagues fulfilled. “Silent Night” has passed. New Year’s resolutions are next, though we know that the old patterns of barking at those ...
December 24, 2011
2011 Advent Devotion- Saturday, December 24
Saturday, December 24
Matthew 1:20b
The birth story of Jesus is a beautiful declaration of God’s power. The contrast between struggle and surprise is evident. We read about the burden placed upon a teenage mother who is in the engagement process of marriage to an older man named Joseph. Can’t you hear the criticism, in a culture that forbade such a sexual union before the marriage proper? The dreams of her parents that she will live her life through the proper stages of development—first marriage and then the baby—are now shattered. Joseph is also struggling ...
December 23, 2011
2011 Advent Devotion- Friday, December 23
Friday, December 23
Luke 1:79
Advent Reflection Prayer
Beloved Father
In your mercy,
Bring light into our lives like the sunrise
Deliver us from darkness,
From fear,
And from the shadow of death.
Guide our steps as we attempt to walk the path of peace
To become peacemakers.
Shaheen Amjad-Ali, professor, Department of Religious Studies Metropolitan State University and member Peace Discernment Steering Committee, PC(USA)
West St. Paul, Minnesota
December 22, 2011
2011 Advent Devotion- Thursday, December 22
Thursday, December 22
Psalm 62:5-6
In September, I had the privilege of traveling to Lebanon and Egypt with colleagues following the events of the Arab Spring. We heard from and prayed with pastors (from Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt) and visited Near East School of Theology, Hamli Hospital, Ramses College, the Egyptian Bible Society, and the Evangelical Christian Church of Heliopolis, sites that our denomination has had the joy of initiating and being highly engaged. It was a powerful and humbling experience to be asked to speak at the Heliopolis church on the tenth anniversary of September 11th.
Following ...
December 21, 2011
2011 Advent Devotion- Wednesday, December 21
Wednesday, December 21
Luke 1:46-55
I’ve always loved the Magnificat...such a jubilant celebration of God’s power! It’s as if she’s breaking into song, her words a soaring melody. She exults in being chosen and consenting to be the “God-bearer.” Her spirit rejoices in being the vessel in whom and by whom the Anointed One is enfleshed and is coming into the world, a world rent by great divisions and torn by savage inequalities. Amazingly, she gifts him to this world. She will raise him, as she herself does, to take refuge in the God ...