“Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters… The world is encouraged to come away from rancor, Come the way of friendship.”


This is a truly lovely poem. I came across it with the hope of uncovering some of the precious holiday spirit, and Maya Angelou did not let me down.
This remarkable piece is not just for a select few. It is for “angels and mortals, believers and nonbelievers” alike. In fact, it is for anyone who is in desperate need of finding a moment of peace during this often chaotic season. It serves as a gentle reminder to the reader of the essential humanity that lies at the heart of the season. It emphasizes the importance of our connectedness with one another. In a world that can sometimes seem so divided and filled with strife, this poem offers a glimmer of hope and a call to come together in friendship and unity.

This poem is not my favorite one written by her, nor is it my favorite Christmas poem.

However, it is indeed a good poem.

In this particular edition, it is presented in a broken-down manner, which makes it easier for my children and I to understand and appreciate.

We found ourselves enjoying it quite a bit.

The words seem to come alive on the page, painting a vivid picture in our minds.

Although it may not hold the top spot in my personal rankings, it still has the power to bring a smile to our faces and a sense of warmth during the Christmas season.

It's one of those poems that you can read over and over again and discover something new each time.

Overall, while it may not be my absolute favorite, it is definitely a poem that I would recommend to others.

A poem about true peace.

Regrettably, it endeavors to render the Christmas Peace as something pertinent to Jews, Buddhists, Jainists, Muslims, AND Christians.

I firmly believe that peace holds significance and importance for all those groups. However, it is only the Christians who proclaim and celebrate, "At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ."

Each religious group has its own unique beliefs, practices, and ways of commemorating events. While peace is a universal concept that is cherished by all, the specific context and meaning of Christmas Peace are deeply rooted in the Christian faith.

It is through the birth of Jesus Christ that Christians find hope, love, and the promise of eternal peace. This special moment in history is a time for Christians to come together, reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth, and celebrate the gift of peace that He brings.

While it is important to respect and understand the beliefs of other religions, we should also recognize and honor the distinctiveness of each faith. The Christmas Peace is a beautiful and meaningful celebration for Christians, and it should be cherished and preserved in its true essence.

3.5 stars.

I read this poem, along with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, on Christmas Eve and it was an excellent combination to sense the spirit of the season.

Maya Angelou read this poem several years ago at the lighting of the White House Christmas tree. Her magnificent words convey unity, hope, and peace, and how Christmas is a time for people to come together and relish the goodness of life.

Here is a brief excerpt:

In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.

At first, it is too soft. Then only half heard.

We listen intently as it gains strength.

We hear a sweetness.

The word is Peace.

It is loud now.

Louder than the explosion of bombs.

This poem truly touches the heart and makes us reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. It reminds us that in the midst of all the chaos and turmoil in the world, there is still hope for peace and unity.

Maya Angelou's words are like a gentle breeze that soothes our souls and fills us with a sense of calm and tranquility.

I would highly recommend this poem to anyone who wants to experience the beauty and magic of Christmas.

This is a special-edition poetry book. It contains the deeply soul-moving poem, "Amazing Peace", which Maya Angelou read at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on December 1st, 2005.

Rhapsodic and resplendent, this poem makes the reader feel as if they are standing with others at the lighting of the tree. There are candles casting flippant shadows on the snow-covered earth. The spirits are animated despite the brisk winter air. The voice of the poetess gently dances on the ears of the listeners, her voice teeming with joyous cadence.

Here are some of my favorite lines from the poem. Let's admire Angelou's paean of peace together:

"We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas. We beckon this good season to wait awhile with us. We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come. Peace. Come and fill us and our world with your majesty. We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian, implore you to stay awhile with us. So we may learn by your shimmering light how to look beyond complexion and see community."

"We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, look heavenward and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves, and we say without any shyness or apology or hesitation: Peace, My Brother. Peace, My Sister. Peace, My Soul."

The poem beautifully captures the essence of peace and unity, transcending religious and cultural boundaries. It is a powerful reminder that we all have a shared longing for peace and that we can come together to create a more harmonious world.

There are two distinct versions of this book.

The one I am holding in my hand is a slender white volume that contains no pictures. It presents a more minimalist and perhaps more cerebral approach to the content.

On the other hand, the other version is a vividly illustrated one. It is filled with depictions of children and Christmas trees throughout, adding a touch of warmth and charm.

The main theme of the poem within this book is truly profound. It emphasizes that Christmas is the sole time of the year when both believers and non-believers can express with complete sincerity and without any hint of shyness, apology, or hesitation: "Peace, My Brother. Peace, My Sister. Peace, My Soul." This simple yet powerful message encapsulates the essence of the holiday season and the hope for harmony and unity among all.

Whether one prefers the plain white book or the illustrated one, the underlying theme of peace remains the same, serving as a reminder of the importance of this sentiment during Christmas and throughout the year.

The audio reading by Angelou herself is truly a remarkable treat.

It is a beautiful poem that is enhanced by the equally beautiful illustrations.

The combination of the two creates a truly immersive experience for the reader.

It is a lovely read that is perfect for the season.

Whether you are curled up by the fire on a cold winter's night or enjoying a warm summer's day in the park, this poem is sure to bring a smile to your face and a sense of peace to your heart.

Angelou's words are so powerful and moving that they have the ability to touch the soul and leave a lasting impression.

The illustrations add another layer of depth and beauty to the poem, making it a truly unique and special work of art.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and beautiful illustrations.

Well, of course it was beautiful, and I truly have a deep love for Maya Angelou's works. Everything she creates seems to hold a special charm. However, I must admit that I don't have the same affection for the illustrations. To be honest, even the content of the poem presented a bit of a challenge for me.

It brings to my mind these memes that I've been seeing. While I can understand the intention behind the memes, they essentially seem to be victim-blaming. The issue isn't that non-Christians are offended by being wished a merry Christmas. The real problem lies in the fact that Christians don't always respect the fact that not everyone adheres to the Christian faith. If non-Christians lived in a culture that respected their non-Christianity, they likely wouldn't be as offended by the well-intentioned greeting of a merry Christmas.

So, yes, the inclusive and all-encompassing language of this poem is indeed lovely. But I just don't believe that anyone has the right to tell "the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian... believers and nonbelievers" that we should all come together as a community to "celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ." The message of peace is undeniably beautiful and wonderful, but it needs to be decoupled from a celebration specifically centered around Jesus Christ. We should strive for a more inclusive and respectful approach that acknowledges and honors the diversity of beliefs and cultures among us.

This was truly a wonderful book that could be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

What made it even more special was the accompanying CD. On this CD, the author herself read her work, which added a unique and personal touch.

In addition to the engaging audio, the book was filled with beautiful illustrations. These illustrations were created from paintings, and they brought the story to life in a vivid and enchanting way.

Whether you were a child or an adult, this book had something to offer. It could transport you to another world, filled with imagination and wonder.

The combination of the author's words, the audio reading, and the beautiful illustrations made this book a truly unforgettable experience.

It was a book that could be read again and again, and each time you would discover something new and exciting.

Overall, this was a must-read book for anyone who loved a good story and beautiful art.

The ecumenism in and of itself, such as that between Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, Jew and Jainist, Catholic and Confucian, doesn't actually trouble me. One could indeed invite all to worship the Christ Child. However, what really concerns me is the lack of clarity regarding the exclusivity of the Christian gospel. This particular line is especially questionable and even borders on being terrible: "At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ / Into the great religions of the world." The ambiguity of the word "Into" is truly troubling. It seems as if Jesus doesn't so much save people from their sins as he offers another interesting and equally valid option. But the "true" meaning of Christmas should not flatten all religious differences. Each religion has its own unique beliefs and teachings, and while there can be common ground and respect, the distinctiveness of the Christian message should not be diluted or muddled. We need to be clear about what the gospel truly means and not create confusion by using such ambiguous language.

It is important to uphold the integrity of the Christian faith while also engaging in meaningful dialogue and understanding with other religions.

This is an exquisitely beautiful book, adorned with charming illustrations that bring the story to life. The particular version that I had the pleasure of reading included a CD, on which the renowned Maya Angelou read the poem. Her rendition added an entirely new dimension to the work, making it even more remarkable and captivating.

Listen closely to these remarkable words:

"It is loud now.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.

We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled
by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds."

These words are truly lovely and have a profound impact. In a world that often seems filled with chaos and conflict, they remind us of the importance and the beauty of true peace. It is not just the end of hostilities, but a state of harmony and security that we all long for. This book and its message are so very needed in our times.

Gorgeously illustrated!

This article is a visual delight, with stunning illustrations that bring the text to life. The illustrations are not only beautiful but also highly detailed, adding depth and context to the story. Each page is a work of art, captivating the reader's attention and drawing them further into the narrative.

The use of color in the illustrations is particularly effective, creating a vivid and engaging atmosphere. The colors are carefully chosen to match the tone and mood of the text, enhancing the overall reading experience. Whether it's a bright and cheerful scene or a dark and mysterious one, the illustrations add an extra layer of emotion and drama.

In addition to the illustrations, the article itself is well-written and engaging. The text is clear and concise, presenting the information in an interesting and accessible way. The author has a great sense of storytelling, using vivid language and interesting anecdotes to keep the reader entertained from start to finish.

Overall, this gorgeously illustrated article is a must-read for anyone who loves beautiful art and engaging stories. It's a true feast for the eyes and the mind, and one that will leave you wanting more.