PRAYING FOR PEACE IS
ALWAYS APPROPRIATE
Whenever I’ve posted the lyrics to my little variation on “Silent Night,” Franz Gruber’s Christmas classic (as I do every couple of years), I’ve noted how current world conditions make it appropriate to pray for peace.
Which goes to show that praying for peace is always appropriate.
I guess the world is always in turmoil. And surely there are many threats looming.
But for the first time in several years, we have hope that the days when our leaders are actively laboring for the collapse of the nation may be coming to an end.
So as we pray for peace, we also give thanks for a second chance.
Let’s make the most of it.
I wrote “Christmas Prayers” for the holiday concerts presented by my 1980s music group, Company, which I’ve mentioned from time to time. We did an annual benefit program for a charity called Christmas Unlimited. The high point was always our rendition of “Silent Night” that included this insert…
Christmas prayers, warm and true
Hear us, Lord as we call to You
Hear our plea from ages past
Help the world know peace at last
Grant that love may be born
Grant that love may be born
We have hope, we believe
Hear our prayers on this Christmas Eve
Touch the hearts inside all men
Let us know Your joy again
So that love may be born
So that love may be born.*
God bless you and your family.
Bill Kassel
*“Christmas Prayers” Copyright © 1979 by Bill Kassel
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At past Christmastimes I’ve drawn attention to a classic essay written in 1949 by the late Vermont Royster, then editorial page editor for The Wall Street journal. Titled “In Hoc Anno Domini” (In this year of our Lord), the piece reflected on what the world was like at the time Christ came into it in human form, and what resulted from that great coming.
The Journal has reprinted Royster’s essay over the years, but now has placed it behind a pay wall (as is pretty much the case with all WSJ material these days). However, conservative blogger Rich Swier has obtained permission to reproduce it on his website.
Royster’s insights have never been more relevant than they are today. Give them a read here…
https://drrichswier.com/2013/12/25/in-hoc-anno-dominin/
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I invite you to learn more about the Colorado-based Company, a forerunner of today’s Independent Catholic Music Movement. Visit our Facebook memory page, and please give it a “Like”…
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Company-Music-Ministry/344721965603914
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