Imagine Peace

With help from John Lennon and also Paul McCartney

[This is an edited version of a talk I gave at Unity Lincoln (Nebraska) on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022.]

Those of us who celebrate Christmas understand that peace is the true meaning of Christmas. But don’t take my word for it. This comes straight from Linus in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all men.

Now, ironically, the best vision of “peace on earth, goodwill toward all people” that I’ve heard comes from John Lennon, who once said that his band, The Beatles, was more popular than Jesus.

But after The Beatles broke up, Lennon wrote his signature song, “Imagine.”