Let There Be Peace On Earth...

...And let it begin with me...

I've been hearing this song on the radio quite a bit lately.

The words are appropriate for Christmas, but I remember the first time I learned it, way back in Elementary School, for the Remembrance Day assembly.

"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..."

It still has Remembrance Day associations for me, and when I hear it as we're driving around in the van at this time of year, it makes me a little sad.

"With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let me walk with  my brother in perfect harmony."

I wonder if  those who are singing it for Christmas are truly wishing us God's gift of Jesus- the Prince of Peace,

"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."

Or if it is more indicative of the hopeless cry of our hearts for physical peace in the world around us. Recognizing that in the half century since the war after the war to end all wars "Peace on earth" is still an unimaginable reality for so much of the world's population.

"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."

Amen, and Amen.