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We talk of peace so much at Christmas time, and I
recalled this song:
Let there be peace on
earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on
Earth,
the peace that was meant
to be.
With God as our Father,
brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my
brother,
in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment
now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and
live each moment
in peace, eternally.
Let there be Peace on
Earth,
and let it begin with me.
by Jill Jackson and Cy Miller, 1955
The late Jill Jackson Miller, an actress and
songwriter, wrote “Let There Be Peace on Earth” in the summer of 1955.
The message of the song has circulated around the globe. Miller speaks
of her early life--how she became an orphan as a young girl, and her
terrible experience through foster care, that led her into despair and
attempted suicide.
She describes about realizing the presence of a
higher power in her life and how she came to write the song. It is a
song that has spread around the world, taking on a life of its own, as
people began to live the message and share the song.
I also read of a young lady who was doing her
Christmas shopping and was irritated by the person in line ahead of her.
She wrote, “The nicely dressed woman was jittery, talking in a slurred
manner. It is just 10:30 and she has been drinking already. This is
disgusting!” When it was my turn, the clerk said, “I admire her so much.
She has a neurological disorder, and cannot control her tremors, but she
is determined to lead a normal life. She shops early in the day so she
will not offend too many shoppers.”
So, I am asking God to let me learn from these two
instances that peace begins with me and this includes being tolerant of
others. There are many reasons for obnoxious behavior: migraine
headaches, pain from arthritis, a troubled family member, money
problems, loneliness . . . the list goes on.
Our Father, some of the paths you give us are
really steep. Help us to climb them bearing peace and good will toward
all.
Amen.
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