Sunday, December 3, 2017

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

By Lori Carmody

Most of us know the popular song “Do You Hear What I Hear?”  Just recently I discovered the history behind the writing of this 1962 hit song. 

Noel Regney had been commissioned to write a Christmas song in the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Folks were preoccupied with the threat of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was a tense time.

One day Noel happened upon two mothers walking their babies in strollers.  The two babies were smiling at one another.  Noel yearned for the peace he felt as he pondered the baby’s joy.  This was his inspiration to write the song we love.

Once again today, almost 60 years later, we are a nation preoccupied with the threat of nuclear war, this time with North Korea.  Might this song awaken in us our deep yearning for peace and remind us of the path to reach it?

..…Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere.....

Advent begins this week.  Perhaps a daily prayer intention for peace between the United States and North Korea or, closer to home, in our own neighborhoods and/or families might be worth considering. 

…..the child, the child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light.

Thanks for reading.

Happy Advent, my friends.


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