50+ Lifestyles

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

By Eloise Graham

Let There Be Peace on Earth…

Last month we celebrated holy days: for some it was Hanukkah; others, Christmas; Kwanzaa; the winter solstice; or just celebrating having family together. I am sure many wished others shalom, rest, peace for each other, peace for the world.

What is “peace”? What is it that we were wishing each other?

Definitions of PEACE:

Peace is a noun meaning 1. freedom  from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
2. freedom from or the cessation of war and violence.

When used as an exclamation it can be a greeting as in “Peace be with you.” or as an order to remain silent as in “Peace! Don’t talk.” Wikipedia defines it as “Peace is the harmony between different social groups that is characterized by lack of violence or conflict behaviors, and freedom from fear and violence.”

Our world is not a peaceful place. Violence and crime seem to be on the increase. New reports of terrorism make the headlines daily. This new wave of terrorism is dividing us as a nation, as a people. We now fear anyone who looks a little different from us. We stare at and avoid those that dress differently. We have fear, not peace.

Shortly after the San Bernardino, some publicly said they were praying for peace and for the victims and families. Many were criticized for sending prayers without any action. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, but also accompanying it with action. But what action? Some proposed ideas seem counter productive, filled with hate and vengeance. That doesn’t appear to be a good solution. So what CAN we do? The song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin with Me”” came to mind.

This song was written in 1955 by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, a husband and wife songwriting team. They first introduced the song to a group of teenagers from local high schools that were attending a week long retreat in the California mountains. It was a diverse group of youth from different religious, social, racial, cultural and economic
backgrounds. Sy Miller said, “This simple thought, ’Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin with Me’ first born on a mountaintop in the voices of youth, continues to travel heart to heart – gathering in people everywhere who wish to become a note in a song of understanding and peace – peace for all mankind.”

Here are the lyrics:

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 our Creator, Family all are we.
Let us walk with each other 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.

If we each do our part in our little space, or home, our
family, our community, we will be making a difference.

Peace to you in 2016