Peace is a Verb

Do you sometimes see your blog as a grownup version of Show-and-Tell? I admit that when I first sat down to write this post, I thought about itemizing my Santa gifts, bemoaning my questionable culinary efforts, and kvelling about my family. Isn’t that what we all used to do when we were children, once school reconvened after the holidays?  But since you’re adults now and are likely busy with your own holiday happiness and mishegas, I’ll instead share a short post about one of my all-time favorite holiday songs, written and sung by John Lennon.  

Originally sung as a protest to the Vietnam war, the lyrics seem especially relevant today. In 1969, Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, spread this anti-war sentiment via rented billboards and posters they strategically placed in eleven major cities around the world. The message: “WAR IS OVER! (If You Want It) Happy Christmas” resonated with millions of war-weary individuals who found themselves increasingly angry about our involvement in the Vietnam War. Eventually, the words found their way into a holiday recording, which has been remixed by several musical groups. (Source: Wikipedia)

My favorite line, “War is over/If you want it/War is over/Now!” speaks to the power of intention. The background vocals (credit: the Harlem Boys’ choir) symbolically represent the idea that we must speak out as a chorus rather than as individuals, to be sure our voices are heard. However, the deceptively simple lyrics gloss over the fact that peace is a hard-won battle. If we truly want an end to war, we must work together — regardless of our individual heritage, religion, or political affiliations — to make that goal a reality.

Let there be peace on Earth in the New Year, and let it begin with us.

UPDATE: It seems the war merchants who brought you the mythical War on Christmas are now turning a tidy profit. Anyone remember the story about the young Jesus, who overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves in the Temple? Therein lies an example of how we might choose to be less passive in our pursuit of real peace.

21 Comments

    • Do you suppose that some people already have? Unfortunately, I think it’s going to take much more than a familiar song to capture this administrations attention; we’ve got to figure out something more imaginative…

      Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!

  2. I think we should send this to Mr. George Bush. I can’t believe he hasn’t gotten a clue yet. Americans are sick of the lies surrounding the Iraq war. Though there are still some who think he’s right, unfortuately. I’m not one of them.

    • I wonder if that will capture his attentions, or if we need something much more orchestrated (sorry, bad but unintended pun). I agree with your perspective, and I don’t think that’s “unfortunate” at all!

      Happy, peaceful holidays to you and yours!

  3. I think we should send this to Mr. George Bush. I can’t believe he hasn’t gotten a clue yet. Americans are sick of the lies surrounding the Iraq war. Though there are still some who think he’s right, unfortuately. I’m not one of them.

  4. I cry every time I hear that song – it’s so hopeful and empowering. I heard it at Target this weekend (not the Muzak version!), and to hear “War is over!” sung by children chanted through the sound system – well, I was a tearful mess in the linens aisle…. 🙂

    • Yes, I see it that way, too. I think the children’s voices are what make this especially vivid…how can you muster up support for this war when you think about its effects (short- and long-range) on the world’s children?

  5. I love that song, even with Yoko warbling in the background.

    Peace on earth would be a lovely thing. I’m sad to hear that new ones are ramping up, particularly in Africa. Ethiopia, to be specific, subject of its own protest/Christmas song, “Do They Know It’s Christmastime at All?”

  6. Hey there…You know, I swear we must be on the same page! I have been thinking of this song over and over and over all season long. I kept thinking about the line “War is over…” and kept wondering when will it REALLY be over? When can our soldiers come back home and be with their families. Then, I thought about your post from the other day about your brother-in-law…I was discussing this with my dad. I dunno, just thought I’d share. I’m not exactly sure what my point was in sharing this, but it’s been on my mind a lot. I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who listened to the lyrics of this song and related it to today’s current events.

    • I consider it a high compliment to be on the same page as you! I hope a lot of people are thinking more about peace — and talking with others about it — because, as I see it, it’s the only way we’re going to see any changes. You’re inspiring to me because you’re willing to think about these things and to challenge others about their perspectives. Working toward peace is a multi-generational task, so it feels really good to me to see you’re involved. (Peace…pass it on!)

      • =) I always thought that you inspire me too. You write about issues that matter. You’re real in your LJ, and you’re not about “show and tell” like so many other LJ’s are out there. I enjoy reading what you have to say and always look forward to new entries.

      • =) I always thought that you inspire me too. You write about issues that matter. You’re real in your LJ, and you’re not about “show and tell” like so many other LJ’s are out there. I enjoy reading what you have to say and always look forward to new entries.

    • I consider it a high compliment to be on the same page as you! I hope a lot of people are thinking more about peace — and talking with others about it — because, as I see it, it’s the only way we’re going to see any changes. You’re inspiring to me because you’re willing to think about these things and to challenge others about their perspectives. Working toward peace is a multi-generational task, so it feels really good to me to see you’re involved. (Peace…pass it on!)

  7. Hey there…You know, I swear we must be on the same page! I have been thinking of this song over and over and over all season long. I kept thinking about the line “War is over…” and kept wondering when will it REALLY be over? When can our soldiers come back home and be with their families. Then, I thought about your post from the other day about your brother-in-law…I was discussing this with my dad. I dunno, just thought I’d share. I’m not exactly sure what my point was in sharing this, but it’s been on my mind a lot. I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who listened to the lyrics of this song and related it to today’s current events.

  9. you know I hear you about the war. Interesting about the so-called war on Christmas. These people freak me out. Don’t they know we celebrate Christmas when we do because it used to be a pagan festival of the winter solstice? Why don’t they move Christmas to an earlier time of the year, for instance, a month when there would have actually been shepherds in the fields tending their sheep? Don’t they know that Dec 25th was the pagan holiday for the sun god? What a coincidence!

    Actually, I’m kind of scared they are going to start forcing people to celebrate Christmas against their will…

  10. We must think alike as I have had this song playing on my MySpace blog for the past two weeks and will keep it there until after the first of the year … America needs to come together in this week between Xmas and New Years and send a clear, powerful, message to Congress. Forget the “dub” in the White House he is too dense to understand anything but trying to out do his “pappy.”

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