Thinking about “Peace on Earth”
Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. The lights, decorations, music – the food; I love it all! While I look forward to enjoying everything that is Christmas again this year, I find myself focusing on one small phrase within the Christmas story.
Back in November 1977, David Bowie and Bing Crosby joined forces to redo the traditional “Little Drummer Boy” song. This surprising duo modified the song and added the phrase – “peace on earth, can it be?”
“Peace on Earth” and Hope?
The original reference to “peace on earth” can be found in the Bible’s recounting of the birth of Jesus with this phrase from Luke chapter 2, verse 14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will towards men.”
Angels were speaking that phrase to a group of startled shepherds in an effort to inform them of a momentous occasion. But were those same angels potentially answering the question that Bowie and Crosby would also ask almost two thousand years later? Were the angels providing a message of hope, both to the shepherds and many more?
The Theme: Hope
Hope has been a theme for me this year. Earlier, I mentioned that the Easter season is full of hope. And that hope is powerful, able to encourage and strengthen people overwhelmed by circumstances and close to giving up.
I see the same thing in Christmas.
Warm Wishes for a Christmas Season Full of Peace and Hope!
Whether in 1977 or any other year, one can look around our globe and see situations that lack hope. Yet Christmas is a reminder that hope came in the form of an angelic announcement in the middle of the night to a group of lowly shepherds that announced a birth of a child who could provide the “peace on earth” for which so many in our world long.
And hope, as we’ve talked about before, is powerful.
This year, Westlark Advisors would like to offer warm wishes for a very Merry Christmas – full of peace and hope!
Peace and Hope at Christmas
By JD Buss
