St. Francis of Assisi penned his now famous prayer over 800 years ago. It is a serious request to ask to be made an instrument of peace. Francis was born into a wealthy family but left it all to follow God and serve the poor. Francis didn’t simply pray for peace, but to be a part of what made peace happen. Francis understood that hatred, injury, doubt, despair, darkness, and sadness all worked against peace.

We live in a world where peace seems impossible. But like Francis we can all work to bring peace to the world wherever we can. Every act of love and forgiveness makes peace possible. When we choose faith in spite of our doubts we choose peace. When things seem dark and hopeless, peace comes in the form of hope and joy that is deeper than our circumstances. This Christmas may we all become instruments of peace to a world in need.