‘May peace reign in your heart’

is a common wish at Christmas

as we celebrate God-with-us.

The problem at the moment

Is that peace

Seems quite distant

As we read and hear and see

Murder and mayhem

Here and overseas

There are those

Who respond in kind.

But if we look closer

That’s not all we’ll see

We’ll see tears

And acts of compassion

From strangers

Who recognise

The bonds of shared humanity

Evil acts by humans

Can divide us

And remind us

That God’s reign

Is not complete.

But acts of love and compassion

Unite us

And bring the peace of God’s reign

closer