Peace on Earth Good will to Men

A simple phrase bestowed on shepherds in fields with their sheep by Angels of the Lord. A simple phrase that invokes all that the world needs today. A phrase filled with solutions, inclusion, comfort, security, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, and well being. These are a far cry from what we hear proclaimed on the news today. And dare I say “Peace on Earth, good will to men” is the prescription for what ails human hearts.

The first we see of this phrase is on Christmas, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. (Luke 2:14) this eventually became the refrain of the Gloria song used in Catholic masses today. The origins of this phrase or psalmi idiotici C300-400AD, is an heirloom from the treasure of ancient Christian Church hymns, a precious remnant of a literature. The additional lines of the Gloria were part of a “literature of songs … written in the early Church in imitation of the biblical lyrics, especially the Psalms.” Furthermore, these early hymns were called psalmi idiotici, “psalms by private persons” and were not written for any particular liturgical use. Whoever wrote the Gloria was likely thinking of only one thing: praising God.

There are many songs today that use this phrase mostly Christmas music. But this phrase may have a bigger impact on Hope in today’s world. And Hope is what we need now.

So today amid all the turbulence I say again to you “Peace on Earth good will to men”