Isaiah 59:8 “The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths.  Their roads they have made crooked; no one who walks in them knows peace.”

As the voices of joyful fellowship fade into yesterday and the quiet of this morning comes, I move from a day of giving thanks and turn to seek peace.  We have a journey to embark on.  It is almost time to start the long journey to a faraway land.  It is on this journey that we may begin to find justice in our paths.  On this journey to a manger in Bethlehem our roads may become more straight than crooked and as we walk closer to the small town in the middle of a desert we may find a peace we have not found before.  We need not leave behind the feelings of love and thanksgiving we received yesterday.  I need not lay down any of the burdens we carry although we may.  We are welcome on this journey just as we are; joyful or sad, mended or broken, confused or focused.  Take my hand and let us begin this journey together.  Let us take the journey to find the way of peace and justice, a straight and beautiful road that leads us to the Prince of Peace.

Lord,

Without you there is no peace.  Without you there is no justice.  Without you we cannot know either peace or justice.  Guide each of us as we seek the path out, as we begin to walk the road to peace.  Thank you for your promise to always be with us, for we need you on this journey.  Amen.