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It is difficult to watch the news. There is so much death, destruction, devastation, hatred and evil in the reports we hear - the images are too much to bear. We shake our heads in bewilderment - How...? Why...? Our questions ring out louder at Christmastime, when choirs sing of "peace on earth, goodwill to men". Every day we see the struggle between good and evil - and we wrestle with how the two can co-exist. Our hearts are fertile ground and whatever seeds we allow to grow will take over. Seeds of envy, bitterness, hatred, entitlement, and the like, will root themselves deep into our hearts - if we allow them. BUT, the same goes for seeds of peace, joy, hope and love. If those are the things we plant, water, and nurture, they will prevail. I choose these latter things: peace, joy, hope and love. The reality is that my human condition requires a daily tending to the garden of my heart, digging up the roots of darkness and turning to God to transplant His light instead. And at Christmastime I think about Jesus, the Light of the World, coming down into darkness - coming into the middle of the evil in this world. Evil threatens to command our attention and show that it has won the day, but it is on its last legs. Goodness and Light will prevail. So, even in the midst of darkness, I will join the chorus to sing of "peace on earth, goodwill to men".  "The Wrong Will Fail, The Right Prevail" Graphic Art/Photography Erin Stinson 2014 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." Till, ringing singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men! Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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