An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender on the date shown.
“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, good will toward men.’ ” — Luke 2:13-14
HOPE FOR PEACE
Somewhere today, a young, ambitious man is studying, hoping that through this sacrifice, he will solve his problems. Somewhere a man is out on some job, hoping that, one of these days, he will have his home paid for, his children well-dressed, his wife happy, and all of the things of which he has dreamed realized.
Somewhere there is a young girl who has been scarred for life over indulgence in the things of this world. She hopes that something will happen to erase scars and restore her to her original state. Somewhere, there is a man lying upon a bed thinking that all that life has had to offer him has gone and there is no reason for attempting to go on. In each of these instances, people are looking for peace. All are symbolic of each of us. Somewhere down the line, one or more of these people represent phases of our lives.
Our whole lives point to something that cries out for peace. Consciously or unconsciously, each one of us wants to find peace.
SEEK EASY STREET
That half-cold student who works hard hopes that, upon finishing school, he will find the elusive peace for which he is willing to make this sacrifice. That husband who works day after day against all types of odds hopes that one day, all of this kind of living will be over and he will be able to enjoy some of the things for which he has labored.
Men in all walks of life sacrifice day after day in the hope that one of these days, the sacrifices will be over, and peace will be realized. This has been the chief goal of man historically. Men have sought to find peace in various terms, but above and beyond everything else, a man wants a peace that will lead him to a place of perfect ease.
How glorious it must have been for those people – who had lived in life’s squalor all of their lives – when they aroused to hear the message of peace. Long hours and anxious moments had been their lives for generations prior to this time. They looked forward to the day when all the things that stood in the way of the full realization of their dearest dreams would be removed. But hope as they may, or pray as they may, peace seemed further and further removed.
LONELY BATTLES
President John F. Kennedy said, “Winning the peace is a lonely battle!” I know that many of us did not get the full importance of these words. It has been my experience that the man who sets out to be somebody or do something outstanding is in for a lonely battle.
That student, that husband, that young girl mentioned before and countless other ambitious people have found the battle to full realization of peace a long, lonely one. Sitting up late at night, going without food, listening to the sneers and jeers of those about you are no positive stimuli to make you want to be somebody. These are a part of the things one encounters as one sets out to realize peace on this earth.
The angels sang of peace but many people wonder what has happened to that peace. From the cradle to the grave, they are constantly at war. When one thing gets in line, something else gets out. At no time in the alert man’s life is there peace. Sleepless nights, long, weary hours, frustration, anxiety, and loneliness are all a part of the life of those who strive, time after time, to realize peace.
How fruitless life would be if somewhere down the line periodically we did not get a taste of peace. The very fact that this happens gives us the courage to keep on going when life seems darkest.
LISTEN
If we were to listen closely enough, at this season we will once again hear the voices in the skies declaring peace unto the people of the world. In this day and time, with all of the impediments to peace, we must re-dedicate ourselves to the real achievement of peace.
Once again we must see and hear those angelic bearers of good tidings come into our lives. We must strive to so mold our lives that peace will be within the grasp of each of us as we fight for the noblest and highest goals of this day and time.
The angels are still crying forth their declarations. They are still declaring to the sick, weary, anxious, disillusioned and fearful today that peace is coming to all people. This peace will become a full realization when once again, our hearts are ready to accept the angelic message.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 