Are we slow learners? Are we stone deaf? Or do we simply not listen?

Sy Miller and Jill Jackson published a beautiful carol a number of years ago that begins: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me … the peace that was meant to be”.

So what is the peace they are describing? Peace is not a cessation of hostilities, or a laying down of arms. It’s more than that.

I like to think of peace like creating harmony in the midst of discord. In the musical world, discords create colour and add to the beauty, but they always need resolution. If a composition oversteps its balance and fails to resolve the discordant notes, it fails to achieve its purpose. I think there are some lessons there.

Reading the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we find images of hammering swords into ploughshares, and spears into sickles. It speaks of nations not lifting sword against nations, and there being no more training for war.

Yet we have ongoing conflict between and within nations after thousands of years, and resolution appears to be a long way away. What happened to the adage ‘war to end all wars’ that was being declared in the aftermath of WWI?

Instead of turning to violence to resolve a dispute, can we not explore the possibilities of peaceful resolution, respecting the opinions and situations of those from whom we differ? What about respectful dialogue and searching together for harmonious solutions?

With the recent declaration from President Trump regarding the City of Jerusalem, it would seem that appropriate research both into the history and significance of the Holy City has been lacking.

Very much closer to home is the other part of my opening quote – and let it begin with me. If I harbour bitterness within me, then it will be difficult for me to live a peaceful life. If my first reaction is vitriol and physical attack, then rationality and commonsense go out the window.

Domestic violence has reached unbelievable proportions in the last decades, and is being revealed in alarming ways.

With Christmas almost upon us, maybe we could resolve to reach out to family and friends and neighbours in friendship and peace, laying aside our differences and the things that separate us, and replacing them with the joy and peace of the season.

At the same time, let us not forget that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in a stable at Bethlehem. Don’t let us allow the commercialism, the tinsel and the glitter, the partying and celebrating obscure the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus and the birth of Christianity in our world.

May all our readers enjoy  all the blessings of a happy and holy Christmas.