Jaroslav Vajda was an American hymnist who wrote one
of the most moving choral anthems for the Advent season, Before the Marvel of
This Night. It is a prayer for peace, bliss, and love. It reminds us of the awesome mystery of Christ’s birth to save
a world at risk.
Adoring, fold your wings and bow,
Then tear the sky apart with light,
And with your news the world endow.
Proclaim the birth of Christ and peace,
That fear and death and sorrow cease.
Sing peace, sing peace, sing gift of peace.
Sing peace, sing gift of peace.”
“Sing peace, sing peace.” That
simple phrase says so much to us today when the world is threatened by hurting
and anger. All of our Christmas traditions of the past, all of our holiday
plans for guests and entertaining, and all of our wishes for the future are wrapped
in that desperate plea.
This year, while we’re enjoying a
family get together and a sumptuous meal, worshiping together in the quiet
candlelight of Silent Night, reading the Christmas story to
our families, and then joining in the excitement of brightly wrapped presents,
let’s make a new commitment to pray for peace,
to share the bliss of God’s grace,
and to live our daily lives in the love
of Christ.
“Sing
love, sing love, sing God is love. Sing
God is love.”
Len Bruce is a retired educator, bus driver, and substitute teacher who lives in Bettendorf with his wife, Joan.
Len Bruce is a retired educator, bus driver, and substitute teacher who lives in Bettendorf with his wife, Joan.
