Peace on Earth?

I Wonder. . .





I’m playing for a friend’s church service this Sunday. They’re singing the beautiful old hymn, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" by Henry W. Longfellow and John B. Calkin. I hadn’t thought about this hymn in a long time until I read the lyrics written back in 1864. They seemed strangely resonant to me today:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

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.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

It’s ironic that the images of an Iraqi journalist hurling both his shoes at President Bush as a gesture of the journalist’s contempt for the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 pervades the press at a time of year when the subject of “peace on earth” is at least broached. The journalist yelled in Arabic as the first shoe flew from his hand: “This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog.” As he flung the second shoe, he cried out: “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.” It made me wonder--is peace on earth possible, or does it exist only in the lofty rhetoric of poets and dreamers?

I believe that peace on earth has at least a chance if America ceases to impose our military in countries because of some agenda we have, with seeming little concern of the ravages our presence will leave in its wake;

I believe that peace on earth will be possible when world citizens are as moved by the plight of a tsunami survivor, or the retaliatory gang-rape of an innocent woman as we are by what happens to our neighbors in our respective countries;

I believe that peace on earth is possible when greed ceases to be the engine that drives the wheel of all mankind;

I believe that peace on earth is possible when the preying on the weaknesses and vulnerability of other human beings in order to perpetuate addiction or some form of co-dependency ceases to be;

I believe that peace on earth is possible when each of us treats fellow human beings the way we would like to be treated—with kindness, consideration, tolerance, compassion and respect; and

I believe that people on earth is possible when each of us works together for the good of all humankind.

I acknowledge and appreciate that many of you reading this already treat others lovingly and respectfully. Everyday I read about someone somewhere doing good, and my heart rejoices. My warmest wishes for a joyous and meaningful holiday. I hope that you’re able to spend your holidays with those you love. Continued health and happiness in 2009.

Oh yeah. . . and peace within, and peace on earth.

Phil Hall
Christmas, 2008