Image courtesy of the Goldstar site.
It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.On this platform of peace, we can create a language
To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.~ Maya Angelou, “Amazing Peace,” 2005, Oprah.com
While Christmas has come and gone, the message in Maya Angelou’s “Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem” is one for all seasons. Angelou’s poem, with its vivid imagery and hopeful, moving tone, is one of community, inclusion, and harmony.
Angelou highlights the wonder and beauty of the holiday season and the universal feelings of trust, hope, kindness, forgiveness, and peace that overcome us this time of year. Given these times of social and political unrest, there is an urging for the spirit of the holiday season to extend beyond this brief period. There is a dire need for amazing peace all year round. What better time than now to commit ourselves to “[celebrating] the promise of Peace” today and everyday?
Maya Angelou’s “Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem” can be read in full on Oprah.com.