The 25 scriptures and quotes below were selected from a list provided by Mennonite Central Committee.  They are intended for use in a family Advent calendar, but could certainly be used any time of year.

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9

And will God not grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? …. I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them.
Luke. 18:7, 8a

Only this does Yahweh ask of you; to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

If your enemies are hungry, feed them, if they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
Romans 12:20

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace…
Isaiah 52:7

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Romans 12:16

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 5:44

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you know that your brother or sister has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister and then come and offer your gift.  Matthew 5:23-24

Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear. Here is your God…. He will come and save you.  Isaiah 35:4

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.
Colossians 3:12

Peacemaking is not an optional commitment. It is a requirement of our faith. We are called to be peacemakers, not by some movement of the moment, but by our Lord Jesus. The Challenge of Peace #56

O living God, send down the Spirit of your son, Jesus Christ; heal our wounded hearts; make peace in the place of conflict; grant love in the face of revenge; build hope where fear prevailed. Bishop Peter Lee

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace… St. Francis Prayer
The drops of rain make a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by soft falling. Lucretius

Love is God’s greatest gift to humanity.
It is God’s promise and our hope.
Caritas in Veritale

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. John Wesley

What you see and the way you love makes a difference. You can either increase the world’s happiness or add to its sorrow.
Joseph Kentenish

While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation. Maya Angelo

Human beings have been made for relationship with God, to live in peace with each other, and to take care of the rest of creation.
Mennonite Confession of Faith

Peace is not something you wish for, it is something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.
Robert Fulghum

Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others? Martin Luther King, Jr.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Mother Teresa

For Christmas Day: Luke 2:1-20