Have you ever wondered how the Christmas song, LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH - came to be?
It has become a global anthem for peace, and a loved song of Christmas but the composer, actress and songwriter, Jill Jackson Miller, shares something of her life, which was anything but peaceful.
She speaks of her early years--how she became an orphan as a young girl, and her difficult journey through foster care, that led her into despair and attempted suicide.
She describes that it was then that she realized God's presence, saving her life from the brink of ruin. She eventually came to write the song that has rippled and spread around the world. Some have said that it has changed history as it took on a life of its own, inspiring people to live out the message of the song.
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 as our Father, brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother 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.
The peace and joy that was announced by the angel Gabriel to the shepherds is our only source of real peace, and during this Christmas season, we have the privilege of reaching out to others who need to hear or to be reminded of the majesty of the story and how it affects our lives every day.
"Heaven measures success by what a man does for others, not by what they do for him. If you want to be important, then you should be the one most willing to serve. This is what the kingdom of heaven is all about. In my Father's house everyone cares about everyone else.
Matthew 20:25 - 28 CW
May we, this Christmas, seize every opportunity HE places in our path to meet a need for someone. He gives us opportunities to minister so He can bless US!
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