Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

December 31, 2023
Devotional written by: Dan Vaughn

HARK! the Herald Angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on Earth,…

The ever present theme of “Peace on Earth” in carols, and in scripture through the seasons of Advent and Christmas, is always to me, just a bit of an off key note in this world of war. 

Instead of approaching these with a heart of profound sadness, our habit is to look for the moral justifications and without context or facts, denounce one side or the other. The problem is, so many victims are bystanders. Thousands who were not defiant before then become that way. A fabric once torn is apt to keep on tearing. 

My prayer then, is only a ceasefire out of a love of humanity. There are powers in the world who have always pretended to speak for billions of the world’s citizens, most of whom just want peace, water, food, love, family and joy. 

Lastly, I pray for the strength to take the advice of writer Maria Popova:

“Don’t just resist cynicism, fight it actively. Unlike critical thinking, it is inherently uncreative, unconstructive, and spiritually corrosive. Cynicism is infinitely easier and lazier than construction. Act from a place of largehearted, constructive, rational faith in the human spirit, continually bending toward growth and betterment.Today, especially, it is an act of courage and resistance.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

Peace on Earth.