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Christmas Carol - Day 7

I'm struggling with the Carol for today.

Today is Pearl Harbor day. Pearl Harbor, of course, is the day when the Japanese attacked the US military in Hawaii. I am not going to go into the details of the attack, any possible provocation or reasoning. But it was a tragic day. My grandfather, who was on his mission in Hawaii and was due to come home soon after that day, was unable to get transport back to the mainland. He spent the last few weeks of his mission (while waiting for the transport) helping to identify and bury the dead.

Thus, my heart is filled with mixed emotions. This season celebrates the birth of the Prince of Peace. Yet, on this day peace was removed from the earth. I know that there is a spiritual dimension to the peace that Christ brings that transcends all other conflict. But we also yearn for a world where people can live together in harmony and peace.

Even in the darkest hours of life, there is peace. Even in times of terrible war and conflict, we can find reasons to rejoice and be at peace. In that spirit, I would like to give the following hymn and story (see the video):

Lyrics:

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace;
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!



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