Today is Christmas Eve, a day, and especially a night, that is timelessly tied to the call of Peace. This year that call has been focused on the war zones, especially Gaza, but the Peace of Christmas Eve is not just a reference to ending military war. It is a call to Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All. Peace on Earth is achieved when we realize 'Goodwill' extends to everyone, not just the causes we support and the people we love. Goodwill to All. That means, "well-wishing", a kindly attitude toward others with the expectation and/or blessing that their life will turn out well. Peace and Goodwill feed one another. When we are at Peace, we are not intimidated by others, fearful or threatened (physically or emotionally). When we can find goodwill in our hearts toward others, our sense of peace deepens. It is obviously easier to be generous with goodwill, when there is no conflict. But some people focus so much on their own struggles to be at peace, they simply don't consider the struggles of others, let alone allow themselves a conscious attitude of goodwill. And yes, it is possible to face conflict and/or hostility and still wish another the highest and best outcome for them as well as yourself. We supersede the purely human perspective and hold to a higher Good that includes disagreeable people and life's bullies.
There is a Sufi story about the Persian "wise fool" Mulla Nasruddin, who was attacked by an angry man, thrown down to endure sand kicked in his face. Nasruddin rose up and as the man rode away, Nasruddin shouted blessings on him that included, "May you receive all that you long for". His shocked friends questioned why he would react with such blessings. Nasruddin answered, "Because if he has everything he wants, he won't go around kicking sand in a Sufi's face." In the long run, Goodwill is in our best self interest.
In these times, there is a strong undertow that pulls against peace and goodwill. Even Peace itself can be turned into opposition and conflict. If you have lived long enough, you surely have known some Christmas's without peace. As a medical student assigned to the emergency room at Ben Taub hospital--a major trauma center in Houston--and later, as a Psychiatry resident at UNM Hospital's Psychiatric Center, I sometimes worked Christmas Eve, handling various emergencies all night. Those nights were not, by any means, filled with peace for those with fighting families, drug and alcohol overdoses, and frightening accidents. But it their own way, Christmas Emergency Rooms give shelter from the storms of life. My job was to remember to bring Peace, to let there be some felt peace, some shelter. Human history also includes the grave trespasses of war during Christmas as well as powerful stories of soldiers who agreed to pause for Peace at Christmas, offering the peace of safety. Paradoxically, sometimes it's easier to focus on war and prayers for Peace, than it is to face having to build peace and goodwill in our own complex lives.
My sense is that Christmas Eve as it unfolds into Christmas morning, is an opening to Peace, each year for over 2 thousand years, at a new/renewed depth that expands collective consciousness. You are a part of this, whether or not you have any inclination to Christianity. Regardless of your background and beliefs, you contribute your consciousness to the whole. (And yes, other religious holidays create other collective openings.) Allow yourself Peace tonight. It may arrive in the middle of your Christmas Eve traditions, or while you are avoiding 'the party'; it may hover until the last light is turn off, and you let go to sleep. Don't struggle with thoughts of what comes next; save that for New Years. Let your day lead you to your night of Peace. Offer your goodwill and know that the world receives it. (Susan Nettleton)
Poetry of Peace: https://hillsidesource.com/celtic-blessing-of-deep-peace