Peace has been a recurring theme over the past few days. The Christmas program that the kids were in yesterday told the story of the English and German soldiers who found common ground and came together on the battlefield on Christmas Eve during World War I. It is such a great example of how we are all just human at our core, living in this fallen world and trying to do what we believe is best. Even if what we each believe is best are worlds apart. It's hard for me to understand those who think war and fighting and killing is a good option ever, but I know they probably also wouldn't understand my desire for understanding and empathy and peace even when wronged.
A song that we sang later in the service has these two verses that just get to me every time.
3. And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
At this point in the song the despair feels so real and it is totally real in a sense. On this earth we will continue to struggle with hate and discord. But. Then this verse:
4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
Tears spring to my eyes every time I sing those words. There is truth in them, even as we struggle and see the world around us seemingly destroying itself. We have to live in the tension for a while longer. But the wrong shall fail and right prevail. Love has already won. Someday we will know true peace. For now I think we have to sow it where we can and keep hoping for it to grow.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
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