There is an abundance of songs about peace, many of them written and composed around the message of Christmas. They have beautiful melodies and lovely harmonious accompaniment. Every year during the Advent season, we hear and sing well-known songs with the message of peace. Songs such as Silent Night, Still, Still, Still, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Let There Be Peace on Earth, just to name a few. In the great oratorio Handel’s MESSIAH, there are references to peace and goodwill to all. In the chorus Glory to God (from MESSIAH), we hear “Glory to God and peace on earth and goodwill to men.”
Allow me to reference another song that invokes the message of peace: it has no melody, instrumental accompaniment, or lyrics. This song is available only in an environment of silence. It is best heard out in the country, far from the sounds of traffic and city life. Imagine sitting under a black sky with multiple bright, shining stars and listening to the sounds of nature. This beauty in silence is a glorious song all on its own. I picture a night much like the one when Christ entered the world: quiet, still.
Peace is present only when strife and turmoil are not. In this current climate of political and cultural hate and violence, it is difficult to feel any presence of peace. It is challenging for us to be ambassadors of goodwill when our surrounding atmosphere is clouded with all the strife and turmoil. When I need to find peace, I go out to the country. Since I live in the city, my country alternative is to be still in silence, devoid of the clamor of news and false rhetoric.
One of the best places to find peace in an otherwise noisy world is in God’s house, a place where you can rid all the deafening sounds of turmoil and strife. It is then that peace will take over, and the desire to bring goodwill to all will fill your spirit. This season, sing and hear the glorious fanfare and sounds of Christmas, but always make time for a Silent Night, Holy Night. Peace!
Robert Fasol, Organist and Choirmaster
