Peace on Earth and Visions of Sugarplums

Tis the season.  For decking of halls and merry gentlemen resting, and riding horse-drawn sleighs over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house.  And, peace on earth and goodwill towards men.  We send glittery, brightly colored greeting cards to our loved ones adorned with these platitudes, and think, “It’s a pretty card”, and not ”What a joke.  Peace?  Seriously?”

When the first primitive man discovered he could take up a club or stone and use it to intimidate or bludgeon his neighbor into getting his way, the art of violence was created.  And Man can no more unlearn this art than he can unlearn any of our other more primal instincts.  Peace on earth?  As noble a longing as it be, it is more likely that we all wake up on Christmas morning and find that we’re all just  living in some cosmic snow globe for some deity’s amusement.

The reader will be forgiven for thinking me cynical.

In 1955 Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller penned a song called “Let There Be Peace on Earth” which was later popularized by Vince Gill.  The song’s lyrics - let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me – are striking in both the simplicity and the plaintive entreaty; that an outbreak of peace must begin with he who implores it.

So, in the immortal words of Steve Martin in his now famous SNL parody “If I had one wish that I could wish this holiday season” it would be that there would one day truly be peace on earth.  And that it would begin with me.

And you.