​With all the unhappiness and strife in the country today, I thought a Yule ritual for peace would be appropriate. We long for peace within ourselves and also among the people of the country and the peoples of the world. We want to make peace with the Earth and provide for our children a safe and livable world.
We decided to create a symbol of peace and interdependence to bring our hearts to a peaceful place. We filled our hearts with peace and then send that peace out to those who can open their hearts to it.
That symbol started as a large circular frame.  During the ritual, we interwove ribbons of many colors within the circle it, symbolizing the interdependence of all people and the need for a framework of peace to bring the world to a better place.  We added a 5-pointed star to the center of the weaving to bring the spirits of intelligence, strength of will, emotional stability and wisdom to the work for peace. The 5th point brings the spirit of the peoples of the world – their striving for peace and freedom.
We sang of peace: “The Peace of the River” and “Let there be Peace on Earth”. We read poems and personal statements. We ended with Chief Seattle’s observation that “Whatever befalls the Earth - befalls the sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life - He is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
In this season when we celebrate “Peace on Earth and Good Will to All”, may all our hearts be calm and may we go forward as peaceful warriors bearing the banner of Freedom and Justice for All.