Peace On Earth...

The little blond curly hair boy crawled up in his Father's lap as the Christmas tree lights twinkled and their reflection shimmered from the windows...

"Daddy, the preacher said this morning to "Pray for Peace on Earth." What does that mean?
The father put down his newspaper and stared intently into the eyes of his beloved son. How could he possibly explain this to such an innocent child. A child who believed in miracles... a child who knew simply  because he prayed, God answered. A child who loved to run in the sunshine... and saw no strangers and yet into this world, this child had been born. A world filled with bitterness at times... a world that searched for answers in all the wrong places at times... and a world that when it was created was for such good.

 The little boy tugged at his sleeve. "Daddy, what is peace on earth and why do we need to pray for it?"
 The father cleared his throat and began to speak...
 "Well, son peace on earth is what the Good Lord intended all along. He created all of his children to be friends... to love one another... and to live peacefully. That was His plan.

"Then how come there is war. I saw it on TV. They said our soldiers are getting hurt.
How come?"
Because son, in this world there are all kinds of people...all kinds of beliefs?"
 "But, Daddy I only talk to one God."
 The father looked at his son. How could one so small have such wisdom? He shook his head in wonder.

The little boy continued with such wonder..."And, Daddy when Billy my friend and I fight, we make up. Cause that is what we are supposed to do. Right, Daddy?"
 "Yes, son but you see in this world there are people who fight over land... he started once more.

 The little boy looked at him and then spoke so clearly the father thought it must have echoed through the portals of heaven..."But, when Granddaddy died, the farm and the fields did not go with him. It all stayed here. So why do they fight over something like that"
And then the little boy smiled a smile the father would never forget as long as he lived.
 "I know...Daddy...I know the answer and how come we pray for world peace."
 Why, son?

 The little boy pointed the window and then upwards...and leaned his head back as he spoke...So we will be more like Jesus... and that makes God happy right, Daddy?"
The father drew the little boy close,
 "Right, son."

 The little boy  bowed  his head.. as his fathers tears touched his curls...
"Dear God,
 Would you please help us down here? I think somehow we all got mixed up about this peace thing... and about loving each other.
 Would you please help us? And Dear God, for Christmas this year when you send all that stuff... would you send peace on earth too.
  I sure love you a lot. Thanks, God. Night Night.

And with that the little boy scampered off to bed. The father got up and stared out of the window. Somehow on the night before Christmas... a little child had led the way...
 May this  year of 2003... this Christmas find us all praying that same prayer..
Dear God, let there be peace on earth... and help us to love one another in the true spirit of love.

Marsha B. Smith

Page Creation:  November 22, '03

08/13/2008