“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,” are words from a popular song written by Jill and Sy Miller in 1955. They are an inspiring reminder that peace in the world starts with you and me! No excuses!
If there’s a conflict in your home, let the peace that resolves that conflict begin with you!
If there’s a conflict at the office, let resolution of that discord begin with you!
If there’s anger in the neighborhood, let the love that dissolves that anger start with you.
We don’t have to wait for someone else to act first. We can act first. Results happen faster that way!
Be the one that makes the big difference. Be the peacemaker.
The phrase “Let there be peace in earth, and let it begin with me” has been attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi..this was a man who wrestled with himself as he rid himself of material values..
This Christmas we too can but aside material values and find Christ..for me Christ is the peace of Mind we feel as God becomes All-in-all. Anguish and anxious thoughts are put to rest and Christ is born again..
Amen!
Thanks John Qualtrough. The article below may help with understanding the concept of “Christ is born again.”
“The birth of Christ is every day” The healing message of Christ is here at every moment – at Christmas and beyond. By Susan Booth Mack Snipes. From the December 24, 2015 issue of The Christian Science Monitor:
https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/A-Christian-Science-Perspective/2015/1224/The-birth-of-Christ-is-every-day/?src=shared
“…and Christ is born again.”
Thank you, John, for this fresh, inspiring, and powerful thought.
Lately there’s been more and more research about what makes a difference in whether and to what degree people feel peace in their mind, emotions, and in their body. They’re finding that Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy were correct that when we view the world and our experience and our identity from the perspective that we are whole/holy and perfect with everything we need, and that we belong and have everything that is needed to contribute meaningfully for the greater good, and when we accept that being good and doing good feels good, our minds and bodies function better and we feel peace.
When we prioritize our relationship with God and ourselves, we bring the attitude and skills and habits that are necessary to have healthy relationships with others individually and collectively, with humans and with nature. And then we find the inspiration and the ability to follow through with that answer that brings us power and peace and joy expressed with love. That feels better than anything that we can buy or manipulate others or have.
But when we have a perspective of inadequacy or lack and injustice, and that someone or something outside of us has power over us to deprive us of what we need, and when we think we have to control nature and what other people think, feel, say, and do, we set ourselves up for a lot of frustration and unhappiness. When we focus on specific values and consciously think out from, and act from, those values with a confidence that they are core to who and what we already are, then we can let others have their own lessons and blessin’s, their own healing journey as we contribute positively. When we choose to be aware of thought and feelings, and to measure those thoughts against certain values and standards, and we exercise our agency to choose what thoughts we accept, and what thoughts we refuse to cling to, what thoughts we question, rebuke, reject, replace, or rejoice about, then we have that inner security and safety, that clarity, that power of integrity and love, and inner peace and that loving peace is so powerful that we can spread it contagiously. That piece of our own integrity and love that comes from God is our own protection and guidance and secure abundance. It has nothing to do with the weather or war or wealth/health or popularity or what anyone else thinks or does. It is more powerful than prisons and military and international economic systems of terror and destruction. And that joyous serene loving is independent of how nice and wonderful people are to us or how temporarily comfortable and fit our body is and how full our bank account. Jesus said Peace I give tuno you that that no one can give or take away.
Jesus showed that since the kingdom of heaven is within us, as Mary Baker Eddy says, we have sovereign power to think and act rightly, and nothing can dispossess of that heritage or trespass on Love that is infinite omnipotent God..
Thank you for the reminder.
WOW, Edith. I sure do appreciate the rich depth and breadth of the above message and relate it to today’s challenges. Thank you for sharing your demonstrable truth.
Thank you for this message and a Joyous Christmas to you. Some might enjoy this article on the symptoms of inner peace, it’s not Christian Science but quite appropriate!
https://gentleartofblessing.org/the-symptoms-of-inner-peace/
For those who rest upon Divine Love, Christ’s Spirit, sail upon the wings of a dove with the gift of grace in their hearts.
Beautifully written, brings peace to the heart Josef, thank you.
Merry Christmas to all. Peace on earth goodwill to all
Thank you, dear Evan and John Q. We are peacemakers!
And thank you, Saint Francis of Assisi!
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Lovely image
This divine message of peace and the real meaning of the Christmas
Spirit is so welcomed, especially at this time of year. Have been
rereading Mrs. Eddy’s , “What Christmas Means to Me and other
Christmas messages” and it evokes this same peaceful inspiration,
which I find so helpful. I love where she writes,
“Christmas to me is the reminder of God’s great gift, – His spiritual
idea, man and the universe, – a gift which so transcends mortal,
material, sensual giving that the merriment, mad ambition, rivalry,
and ritual of our common Christmas seems human mockery in mimicry
of the real worship in commemoration of Christ’s coming. I love to
observe Christmas in quietude, humility, benevolence, charity, letting good
will towards man, eloquent silence, prayer, and praise express my
conception of Truth’s appearing.”
That … is really True Peace. We are all so blessed to have this wonderful
place to share such thoughts, and I thank you, Evan, and every one, who
are here with such Love.
To echo with gratitude the Bible citation II Corinthians 9:15 from this week’s lesson, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” I wish peace, joy, and great blessings to all.
“Peace be to this congregation”… all, everywhere. Hymn 276
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)
Amen!!