Saturday, December 3, 2016

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH AND LET IT BEGIN...WITH ME!

Tis the season to be jolly and Christmas music is in the air! One of my favorite songs from grade school is  “Let There Be Peace on Earth”,  a popular hymn-like song that has become standard repertoire in many public schools and churches during the holiday season. I still get teary eyed whenever I hear it!

So why is this simple song loved by so many people? Because this beautiful little song is a prayer - a prayer of hope.

Let me go back to how the song came about. It was written in 1955 by Jill Jackson Miller, who wrote the lyrics, and her husband Sy Miller, who composed the melody. Here is a radio interview of Jill’s recount of what inspired her to create the lyrics:

“When I attempted suicide (in 1944) and didn’t succeed, I knew for the first time, unconditional love, what God is. You are totally loved, totally accepted, just the way you are. In that moment, I was not allowed to die, and something happened to me, which is very difficult to explain. I had an eternal moment of truth, of which I knew I was loved, and I knew I was here for a purpose.” - from the archives of the National Public Radio program, Humankind.

She continued to explore her new found spirituality and discovered her love for writing songs.This led to writing, "Let there Be Peace on Earth" with her husband.

Here is Sy Miller’s recount of the effect of this song:

“One summer evening in 1955, a group of about 180 teenagers, of all races and religions, meeting at a workshop high in the California mountains, locked arms, formed a circle and sang a song of peace. They felt that singing the song, with it’s simple basic sentiment - ‘Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me’ - helped to create a climate for world peace and understanding.

When they came down from the mountain, these inspired young people brought the song with them and started sharing it…” **



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 message to this beautiful prayer is simple, but often, we find it difficult to be at peace with ourselves. Being at peace with yourself can be complicated and confusing! Our ego selves do not want to be at peace. Our ego thoughts  tell us that we are lacking in money, control, looks, good health, you name it! Our ego thoughts tell us that we are weak and vulnerable. We judge and criticize ourselves and each other. We  think we are not good enough! These are all beliefs that are causing us pain and suffering...the total opposite of peace and harmony. And these beliefs are looping through our minds 24/7 each and every day.

So how can we begin to have peace on earth and peace within us?

Choose to think with the divine thoughts of unconditional love, gratitude, compassion and praise.  In other words, choose to think with the thoughts of God. Let this song be a reminder that peace is within you 24/7, each and every day!


"Let There Be Peace on Earth" is also a blessing.  A blessing is a divine thought or a wish - a wish  of love, happiness, gratitude and joy to everyone and everything. “Let it begin with me” is a blessing  to yourself!  When you feel blessed, then your world will reflect your inner thoughts. When you feel at peace, then your world will be at peace. “Brothers all are we” means that we are all connected. We are all brothers and sisters. So let us connect to the higher awareness of harmony and bless everyone.  Bless everyone you see today with good health, peace, happiness, prosperity and joy. This blessing will reflect back to you.

So with that thought, here is my version of "Let There Be Peace on Earth" that I’d like to share with you:


Let there be joy on earth, and let it begin with me.

Let there be abundance on earth, and let it begin with me.

Let there be good health on earth, for good health was meant to be,

Let there be love in our hearts, and let it begin with me.


And, last but not least…

Let there be peace in our thoughts and words,

Let there be peace in our hearts and souls.

Let there be peace in everything we do

And let it begin….with me.




I wish you love and peaceful blessings now and always!!