Dona Nobis Pacem: A Christmas hymn

[Padraig18]

This would normally be a day of great happiness for me because, as a Christian, it is the eve of my Saviour's birth; yet today, my heart is not light and merry, as normally it would and should be.

I look about me and see my world at war, and my heart is troubled. As one who has lost so much to war, I share the pain of countless millions of souls whose lives are shattered by events beyond their control, whose world is destroyed by forces they do not or cannot comprehend. Their pain is my pain, their tears my tears, their anger my anger and their bewilderment mine also.

I pray daily, and normally I have no trouble in doing so, yet this morning I can think of no one thing that I would ask for so much as Peace on Earth--- one day, one hour or even one minute of genuine peace--- yet I know it is not to be. Nonetheless, I ask it in the words of the Latin hymn:

"Dona nobis pacem, pacem, dona nobis pacem.
Dona nobis pacem, dona nobis pacem.
Dona nobis pacem, dona nobis pacem.
Amen."

Grant us peace, peace, grant us peace.
Grant us peace, grant us peace.
Grant us peace, grant us peace.
Amen.

"Agnus dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
Amen."

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Amen.

Let there be peace on Earth.

Merry Christmas, DU!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I have sung this hymn

in four part harmony, and, I believe, have danced it as part of the Dances of Universal Peace. Let us all remember that peace begins in our own hearts. Here's a prayer for peace from my Sufi order:

Send Thy peace, oh Lord, which is perfect and everlasting, that our souls may radiate peace.

Send Thy peace, oh Lord, that we may think, act, and speak harmoniously.

Send Thy peace, oh Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for Thy bountiful gifts.

Send Thy peace, oh Lord, that amidst our worldly strife we may enjoy Thy bliss.

Send Thy peace, oh Lord, that we may endure all, tolerate all, in the thought of Thy Grace and Mercy.

Send Thy peace, oh Lord, that our lives may become a Divine Vision, and in Thy Light all darkness may vanish.

Send Thy peace, oh Lord, our Father and Mother, that we Thy children on earth may all unite in one family.

Amin

[Maeve]

2. Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est

Peace comes truest to those of good will...may all who seek, find.

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you

May St. Patrick guard you wherever
you go and guide you in
whatever you do--and may his loving
protection be a blessing to you always.

May you always have these blessings…
A soft breeze when summer comes—
A warm fireside in Winter—
And always—the warm, soft smile of a friend

[Padraig18]

3. Peace on Earth, and good will to all men.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
--- where there is hatred, let me sow love;
--- where there is injury, pardon;
--- where there is doubt, faith;
--- where there is despair, hope;
--- where there is darkness, light;
--- and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

--- St. Francis of Assisi

I'm beginning to come 'round. :)

[Padraig18]

4. Kick

:)

[Maeve]

5. From MST3K's "Merry Christmas--If That's Okay"

MIKE: So let's have peace on earth
And cut out all the bull.
Let's have a holiday season
That's multi-cultural.

CROW: If there's one point
We'd like to make
With this festive holiday song,

TOM: It's that Christmas comes just once a year
So for a few days
For crying out loud

ALL: Can't we all just get along?

[Padraig18]

6. Nollaig shona doibh, Maeve!

:hug:

[Maeve]

10. My kids have bounced back from the flu

And it's cookie baking time--that makes it merry enough for my little part of the world.

:grouphug:

[Padraig18]

16. That's grand!

:)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. And if you need a little solace today

the Festival of Lessons and Carols from King's College has just begun (9:10 Central Time) and may be on your public radio station.

The Bidding Prayer reminds us to remember all who are suffering at this time.

Check the listings to see if the broadcast is being repeated tomorrow in your area if you have to work today.

[Padraig18]

8. Thanks for the tip!

I'll check! Merry Christmas! :hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. They're singing In Dulci Jubilo

in exactly the same arrangement that my choir used at our own Lessons and Carols Service this past weekend. But it's too early in the morning to sing along. :-)

[Cheswick2.0]

9. A favorite of mine about hope and peace

My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble in their fear
and hear their death knell ringing,
when friends rejoice both far and near
how can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile
our thoughts to them are winging,
when friends by shame are undefiled
how can I keep from singing?

[Padraig18]

12. Magnificient!

Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas! :hi:

[Cheswick2.0]

13. Merry Christmas to you!

I have lots of church tonight (three services) so I really must get going to the booksore to finish shopping.
I hope you have a joyous Christmas.

[Padraig18]

14. I will!

I was just a bit down this morning. Christmas is always hard for me, but I eventually get into the spirit. :hug:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. I've got only one service (three anthems) tonight

but after coming home in the wee hours, I have to be back at 9:30 AM to warm up for the Christmas Day service.

If I were one of the paid singers, I would be there all evening, but at times like this, there are definite advantages to being a volunteer.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. Another appropriate song

with words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow while his son was away fighting in the Civil War:


I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild 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 roll'd along th' unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bow'd 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."

'Til 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!

[Maeve]

18. The Peace Carol

Go here to read and hear it!

http://arose4ever.com/karen/christmas/peacecarol.htm

[Padraig18]

19. What a lovely carol!

:)