Amazing Peace : A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Christmas?’ Candy canes, singing carols, mistletoe, gifts, family gatherings?
I love listening to and singing Christmas carols. Many Christmas songs mention “goodwill” to others. What exactly is goodwill? The dictionary defines the word ‘goodwill’ as a friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.
Now, more than ever, goodwill towards others is definitely needed.
Maya Angelou was an American poet and civil rights activist. In her powerful and inspiring poem, “Amazing Peace,” she writes that Christmas is “the halting of hate time.” Although she wrote the poem for the White House Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in 2005 her words resonate today more than ever and is an incredible instruction for seeing beyond ourselves to our community and those around us.
”Into this climate of fear and apprehension,
Christmas enters.
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the
bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor, (meaning, bitterness or resentfulness)
Come the way of friendship.”
In this Christmas season peace feels more elusive than ever because of the uncertainty of the days we are living in. This poem offers us the opportunity to look “beyond complexion and see community.” It encourages us to be hopeful despite the adversity and uncertainty we face by coming together, in a spirit of cooperation with one another.
This year, and in all the years that follow, let us wholeheartedly embrace the Amazing Peace of Christmas not only during the Christmas season but each and every day.
Maya Angelou reads her poem, “Amazing Peace : A Christmas Poem.”