The 47th Annual Christmas Peace Pilgrimage began in 1960 as a witness for peace. Symbolic of Mary and Joseph's journey, people seek to reflect a non-violent life of truth and forgiveness in the 10-mile trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and in the rally held afterward.
In Finland's "Christmas City" of Turku, a place that welcomes visitors from near and afar to experience a powerful traditional atmosphere, the custom of proclaiming "Christmas Peace" has been followed since the Middle Ages. And a newer custom associated with the centuries- old one is an ecumenical appeal for peace by bishops of four denominations, which is sent to the whole world from underneath the stately arched vaults of the cathedral every Christmas.
And according to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, recently there has even been a declaration of Christmas peace for forest animals in many cities and municipalities, resulting in a ban on hunting during Christmas.
Without a miracle, I don't suspect we will bring peace during this holiday to Iraq or the many other parts of the world where it is desperately needed. However, we can keep all of those who have been affected by this and every war at the forefront of our minds as we at home are grateful to ring in a new year. Here is how some people are helping to spread the holiday cheer overseas:
- the DHL Christmas Trees for Troops initiative was launched in December 2004 in partnership with Dee's Nursery of Long Island and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Rreserve 77th Regional Readiness Command, this year shipping 1,000 trees. Accompanying the trees was 4,000 boxes of lights, ornaments, menorahs and holiday cards purchased with donations collected through a partnership of local New York businesses and organizations.
- 'Santa Sacks' filled with holiday cards and letters written by children from numerous schools in the metro area were sent from the John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- Oregon businesses, charities and individuals collected 17,000 pounds of Christmas gifts for the 900 Oregon troops in Afghanistan, however, as of December 8th, it was reported that $30 thousand needed to be raised to transport the gifts because "taxpayer dollars cannot be used to ship comfort items to the soldiers." (Source: The News Review Online)
- Operation Hero Miles: Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest United and US Airways accepted donations and frequent flyer miles from their passengers through a partnership with the Fisher House Foundation to provide airline tickets available for service men and women wounded or injured in or Afghanistan or for their families to visit them in the hospital.
- American Airlines' Atlanta-based employees held a drive to collect international phone cards that were delivered to U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. The employees created the effort as a community service project to help meet the USO's urgent call for international phone cards to help soldiers call home.
This is only a short list of the many charities, fund-raisers and programs held for the troops across the world. Next year at this time, I hope am writing about their return home. A very Happy and Hopeful New Year to all!
