World focus on the current economic situation threatens to overshadow the response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in DR Congo and elsewhere at a time when the message ‘Peace on Earth’ begins to take centre stage in our thoughts.

Over the past few months we’ve all experienced in some way the effects of the global economic crisis. For some the effects are more shattering than for others. More recently shocking reports of the conflicts in DR Congo highlight the massive humanitarian crisis there and the atrocities being carried out on thousands of people. Peace on Earth?

While the global economic issues we are facing are huge, we must not let these issues cloud our perception of other things that are happening in the world or swamp our perception of real and consistent poverty.

The sort of poverty that was highlighted when hundreds of bishops and their spouses marched through the streets of London during the Lambeth Conference in July to remind governments across the world of their commitment to meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

If governments can respond to a financial crisis – why can they not respond in a similar way to a humanitarian one?

‘Peace on Earth’ were the first words spoken by the angel who appeared to the shepherds after the birth of Jesus. In the run up to Christmas, these words will be heard and spoken over and over – in Christmas cards, nativity plays and carols.

Support for BBC Radio 2’s Aled Jones and Terry Wogan’s release of the Christmas song ‘Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy’ suggests that in the lead up to Christmas ‘Peace on Earth’ are exactly the words that people want to connect with and experience.

So as people prepare for the Festive Season I urge them to reflect on the words ‘Peace on Earth’ – to look beyond their own situations and to respond to the cries for help from across the world.