Second Sunday of Advent and Human Rights Day

Today starts the second week of advent. Advent is a time of vigilant waiting; I wait for something mysterious and unscheduled, with quiet excitement, and expectation. If I fall asleep to this awareness I risk missing the moment of joy, courage, or insight; the gift of grace that has the potential to feed me in ways I need.

Today is also Human Rights Day: The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on this day in 1948. The 75th anniversary of the UDHR will be celebrated today, the culmination of a year-long campaign to showcase and increase knowledge of the UDHR as a foundational blueprint for taking concrete actions to stand up for human rights and tackle pressing global issues today.

Agenda today:

1. Mennonite advent prayer

2. Look at Human Rights Day topics

3. Journal queries

4. Advent wreath ceremony

5. Plan activities for unity and peace

6. Take the human rights pledge

1. A Mennonite advent prayer: 

God, even when the world around us seems to be full of chaos and violence, you are at work. Make us bold enough to imagine and see your hopeful goodness springing up! Amen.

2. Look at Human Rights Day topics:

The United Nations Human Rights site has a page of human rights topics that includes democracy, dignity, equality, justice and peace. Today I took a stroll through the topics to see what inspired me to take action.

3. Journal queries:
At the birth of Jesus, Luke wrote that the angels proclaimed peace on earth and goodwill for all (the non-violent peace of justice, not Caesar's peace by conquest).

How can I work now to create the conditions of peace in my community and world?
How can I become better at feeling and exhibiting goodwill for all?

4. Advent wreath ceremony:

Tonight (and every night this week) we will light two advent candles, and recite two prayers:

"We light the first candle for the earth, which sustains us. May we cherish and care for it."

"We light the second candle for all the people of the world. May we find unity and peace."

5. Plan activities for unity and peace:

This week my theme is "Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world".

That's  a huge goal! Rather than get overwhelmed, though, I plan to do a little something positive each day.

Things I might do this week to create unity and peace:

• be peaceful within myself;
• be in harmony with people I interact with;
• work to learn about and appreciate traditions and beliefs of people throughout the world;
• study an issue that is relevant to human rights in the world at this time;
• challenge myself to work to create the conditions of peace (justice, equality, and freedom) in my family and community.

My life might seem insignificant in the vastness of the universe, but each life is essential to the well being of the whole. I demonstrate my compassion with small acts of kindness and generosity. When I renew this intention each day, the opportunities to show goodwill appear with regularity.

6. Take the human rights pledge:
Your commitment to human rights:
I will respect your rights regardless of who you are. I will uphold your rights even when I disagree with you.

When anyone's human rights are denied, everyone's rights are undermined, so I will STAND UP.

I will raise my voice. I will take action. I will use my rights to stand up for your rights.

TAKE THE PLEDGE