Hymns of Peace for Turbulent Times

The Christmas season is full of so much beauty and hope. Everywhere you turn are messages of love and kindness! And yet, at the same time, each day in the Holiday season can also be packed with a tangible but often unspoken tension. Perhaps this is the reason why this is the only time of the year when we collectively spend weeks-on-end wishing and singing for peace on Earth. I’m grateful for the many prophetic voices of artists and writers who sensed this and wrote the words that our hearts so desire to utter. Here are two hymns to sing and pray through this Christmas season:

O Day of Peace That Dimly Shines
by Carl P. Daw Jr (1982)

O day of peace that dimly shines
Through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
Guide us to justice, truth, and love,
Delivered from our selfish schemes.

May the swords of hate fall from our hands,
Our hearts from envy find release,
Till by God’s grace our warring world
Shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace.

Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,
Nor shall the fierce devour the small;
As beasts and cattle calmly graze,
A little child shall lead them all.

Then enemies shall learn to love,
All creatures find their true accord;
The hope of peace shall be fulfilled,
For all the earth shall know the Lord.

—

O Holy Night
by Placide Cappeau, translated by John Sullivan Dwight (1858)

O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

Hebert Cabral (Abide Board Member)