How Far to Peace?

December 2022 | Written by Maribeth Griessel

See the young girl setting out with a man,

        Leaving Nazareth for Bethlehem, that was the plan.

No highways to travel, no comforts on the way,

        Ninety miles to travel, and no place to stay.

                    How far to peace?

 

Finally reaching Bethlehem, the “City of Bread”,

        They cannot find lodging, not even a bed.

Finally a stable, where animals lay,

        Mary’s newborn infant must sleep on the hay.

                    How far to peace?

 

How can her heart overflow with such joy?

        Her face beam with love as she cradles her boy?

Mid such pain and hardship, from her family apart,

        How can such trust overflow from her heart?

                    How far to peace?

 

In fields around Bethlehem, shepherds guard their sheep,

        Keep watch against danger while the town folk sleep.

Then when an angel appears in the sky overhead,

        These animal keepers are so filled with dread.

                    How far to peace?

 

Bathed in bright light, the angel assures them,

        The Messiah has been born in a stable in Bethlehem.

Soon a Heavenly host with the angel appear,

        Telling them to seek the baby, and not to fear.

                    How far to peace?

 

And today the question, repeats in our minds,

        Where is this peace, where can we find

The joy promised by angels, this lack of fear,

        This peace on earth that seems nowhere near?

                    How far to peace?

 

This peace that we seek, conquers hopelessness, doubt.

        It comes only through Jesus, when we will reach out

To claim Him as Savior, Redeemer and King.

        Only then can we find Him, only then can we sing

                    How far to Peace?

            He is our Peace, He is our Peace!