By Mary Gelfand,
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."
—Lyrics: Jill Jackson
When I was a child, growing up in the Methodist Church, “Peace on Earth” was my favorite part of the Christmas message. I loved singing “Let There be Peace on Earth,” a song that still brings tears to my eyes. I hold to this day a vivid image of angels bending down to earth to share this sacred message.
I grew up in central Florida in the 1950s & 60s—a child of the Cold War—trained to hide under my desk to save myself from nuclear annihilation. I was 12 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and vividly remember how terrified my parents were. I knew in my heart that we would be among the first casualties of the nuclear war that then seemed inevitable. I lost high school and college friends in Vietnam and volunteered as a draft counselor during college. My boyfriend applied to graduate schools in Canada in case he had to leave the country in order to avoid the draft. As I look back, I lived a lot of my formative years in the shadow of war.
I cannot begin to comprehend the life experiences of the thousands of individuals and families currently fleeing violence, war, and religious and ethnic persecution unlike any we in this country have ever experienced. My heart bleeds for those who suffer so, when all they are seeking is the time and space to live their lives in Peace.
In my young adult years, I pretty much defined Peace as the absence of war. When I began exploring Earth-centered spirituality, my definition of Peace expanded to include care for and healing of Mother Earth. How could there be Peace among humans while we daily raped and exhausted this beloved planet and showed no respect for other sentient beings?
In the last few years, my definition of Peace has expanded again—this time to affirm my belief that violence of any kind is a breaking of the Peace. As violence has spread throughout our society, and civil discourse has gone underground, it becomes clear to me that Peace Making must begin here at home, in our relationships with our families, our communities, and Mother Earth. That is the only way forward for all humans and other sentient beings with which we share this planet.
Albert Einstein once said that “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” As I prepare to welcome the New Year of 2021, Peace on Earth continues to resonate with me. I affirm my intention to deepen my understanding of all sentient beings with which I share this world. I affirm my intention to let Peace begin with me—to make a solemn vow to take each moment and live each moment in Peace eternally. For the sake of our children and grandchildren—for the sake of Mother Earth, will you make this vow with me?
Rev. Dr. Mary Gelfand is an ordained Interfaith Minister, a gifted teacher, and Wiccan High Priestess. She teaches and writes on the topics of feminist spirituality, Tarot, and Earth-centered spiritual paths. She resides in Wells with her husband Mark, two cats, and a forest full of birds, chipmunks, and other mysteries of life. You can see more of her writings at weavingthestars.blogspot.com.
Beach photo by Elodie Seigneur
