by Dr. Linda Christians

When I was in the sixth grade the choir teacher, Mrs. Williams, taught us the song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” She said she had chosen this song because we were all God’s children and we had a part in making this world a place of peace and harmony.  Though we were learning other songs for the upcoming concert, it seemed as though she couldn’t get enough of us singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

She emphasized that she wanted us to look into the eyes of the audience when we sang, so we worked hard to memorize the words and the music.   Then the day of the concert arrived, and when we were just about to begin our last rehearsal, she gathered us together.  She asked us to listen carefully as she recited the words to the song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

“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, children 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.”

She ended this time by saying our harmony as a choir was beautiful, but what made the song meaningful was the peace we had with one another in our group.  Every time I hear this song, I think of Mrs. Williams. In her own way, she was cultivating peace by helping us learn that it was up to each of us to pursue it with God and with others.  Cultivating peace and learning how to live in peace is an ongoing, lifelong process and it is one of my goals every day.  How is it with you?