Life continues as the new year is being heralded in. It’s not as if things come to a sudden cusp in time when midnight strikes on each Jan 1st of every new year. Nevertheless, it’s always a time for reflection and hopes, a time for a little prayer.
Among other things, I hope for a year of less violence and less evil. Maybe motherhood has made me more aware of the many perils and perversities done in different lands, to children, to grown-ups. I wish for a peaceful future (and present), for the sake of my child, and others’ children. At times, knowledge and thoughts of these big troubles in the world make me realize how petty so many things can be – others’ bad-mouthing, rude people etc. Reminds me to just brush off such people of questionable character. Reminds me to at least pray for those who are in real trouble, even when I am in a land unaffected.
I’m reminded of a song that inspired much great thoughts in me when I was in high school/secondary school. Have not forgotten this song all these years. It’s part of my prayer for the coming new year. And, in small capacities, I hope that myself, and my true friends, will do our part for peace.
A SONG OF PEACE
This is my song,
O God of all the nations,
A song of peace
For lands afar and mine.
This is my home,
My country where my heart is,
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my family,
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams
As high and true as mine
My country’s skies
Are bluer than the ocean,
And sunlight beams
On clover, leaf and pine.
But the other lands
Have sunlight too, and clover,
And skies are everywhere
As blue as mine.
O hear my song,
Thou God of all the nations,
A song of peace for their land and mine.
Music: FINLANDIA, Jean Sibelius
Words: Lloyd Stone, Georgia Harkness, Bryan Jeffrey Leech
Copyright 1930 by Breitkopf and Haertel, 1934, 1962, 1964 by Lorenz Publishing
1976 by Fred Bock Music Company
