FOURTH WEEK OF DECEMBER

PEACEFUL: State of having accepted yourself; seeking to settle conflict without using force

Vs. Hating yourself; trying to intimidate others by threatening to use force.

SUGGESTED READING:
Lord of the Flies
Books about the United Nations
Zechariah 8
SONGS:
It's a Small World
Any songs appropriate to your family's religious beliefs.

FAMILY ACTIVITY:

Talk to your children about respecting the rights of other children by not using force against them. Help them to understand that it is never, ever, appropriate to hit another person--no matter how angry they make you.
Tell your children what you most admire about them as people. Help them to see that they have value for who they are, not just what they look like or what they can do. This is an especially important thing for parents to do with their daughters.
There are many songs that are sung only during this time of year, and most of them have peace as a theme. Talk to your children about what these songs mean and why their message is significant to your family.
Take this opportunity to forgive a wrong or to renew a strained friendship.

CLASS ACTIVITY:

Have students perform skits that show someone's refusal to being drawn into a fight.
Remind your students that the penalty for fighting is severe and that it will never be tolerated.

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY:

Discuss why we should accept each other as we are and not try to force other people to behave the way we want them to.
Talk about the value of peace for our country and the world. Given how important peace is, should we ever go to war? Should America have gone to war in the past; should we have fought the World Wars? What about other conflicts? When should we be prepared to risk war?

"Jaw, jaw is better than war, war." -Sir Winston Churchill

"Let us pray for peace." -Neville Chamberlain

"The best way to preserve the peace is to prepare for war." -Geopolitical adage

"Peace be with you." -Roman Catholic blessing

Perform a Random Act of Kindness Each Day