A lovely poem is like a precious gem that shines with its own unique charm. It has the power to touch our hearts and stir our emotions. When combined with beautiful illustrations, it becomes an even more enchanting experience.

The words of the poem dance on the page, painting vivid pictures in our minds. They tell a story, express a feeling, or simply bring a smile to our faces. And the illustrations, they add another dimension to the poem, bringing those words to life in a visual way.

Whether it's a simple children's poem or a more complex work of art, a lovely poem with beautiful illustrations is a joy to behold. It can transport us to another world, make us forget our troubles, and inspire us to dream. So the next time you come across such a treasure, take a moment to savor it and let it work its magic on you.

With the Christmas season swiftly approaching,

this picture book, which features a poem written by Maya Angelou for the 2005 White House tree lighting ceremony, beautifully prepares our hearts for this season of hope and peace.

The book comes with a CD, allowing you to listen to Angelou read the poem while enjoying the illustrations expertly done by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.

Angelou writes, "Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters, Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air."

"Hope spreads around the earth, brightening all things."

"It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time. On this platform of peace, we can create a language To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other."

May we all follow Angelou's advice this Christmas as she says, "We look at each other, then into ourselves, And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation: Peace, My Brother. Peace, My Sister. Peace. My Soul."

This picture book is not just a collection of words and images; it is a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. It encourages us to look beyond the commercialism and chaos of the season and focus on the values of hope, peace, and forgiveness. By listening to Angelou's words and欣赏 the illustrations, we can enter into the spirit of Christmas and bring a little more peace and love into the world.

First and foremost, I carefully read through the poem on the Kindle app. It was a quiet moment of exploration as I delved into the words. After that, I decided to enhance my experience by finding the event on YouTube. There, I listened intently as Dr. Angelou read the poem, following along with her every word. (Interestingly, there were a few edits that added an extra layer of depth.)

Either way, this poem truly serves as a wonderful reminder of the peace that Christmas should bring. It makes us stop and think about the essence of the holiday season. In a world that can often be chaotic and filled with stress, this poem offers a moment of tranquility and reflection. It's like a gentle breeze on a cold winter's day, bringing a sense of calm and hope.

Read by the poet at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, Washington, D.C., on December 1, 2005.


Twelve Books of Christmas 7/12

This is truly a remarkable (albeit slender) anthology of poems penned by Maya Angelou. I had perused her literary output previously, yet I had never had the privilege of hearing her recite her own poems. Oh, what a delight it was!

Her voice added an entirely new dimension to the already beautiful words. It was as if she was breathing life into each line, making the emotions and themes come alive in a way that reading alone could never achieve.

If at all possible, I highly recommend giving this collection a listen. It has the power to transform the ordinary act of reading into an extraordinary experience.

You'll find yourself captivated by the cadence of her voice, the nuances of her delivery, and the profound messages hidden within her poems.

So, don't miss out on this opportunity to engage with Maya Angelou's work in a whole new way.

This is a really nice book. However, it is rather short.

It is printed on extremely gorgeous paper, which makes it look very elegant. Obviously, it is intended to be given as a wonderful gift.

I truly wish there had been more of an in-depth introduction to it. Maybe there could have been more detailed commentary or perhaps a collection of additional Christmas poems to enrich the content.

The poem itself beautifully celebrates the hope for peace that Christmas brings. It gives people a warm and comforting feeling.

I can vividly imagine that it was absolutely perfect for its reading at the National Christmas Tree. It must have created a very special and memorable atmosphere.

I would really love to see a recording of that event so that I could experience the charm and beauty of the poem being read in that wonderful setting.

Overall, although the book has its shortcomings, it still has its own unique value and charm.

Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou is truly and aptly named. It is not only because the title perfectly reflects the essence and content of the poem itself, but also because the very words of the poem manage to deliver an amazing sense of peace to its readers. This poem is indeed one of the most beautiful ones that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It has a profound impact on my heart, especially on this particular day when our country is so deeply divided over the election results. I wholeheartedly recommend everyone to read this remarkable piece of work and experience the powerful message that it conveys, just as I have. It's also worth noting that there is a children's picture book available based on this poem, which can introduce this wonderful message to a younger audience as well.

Some of the quotes from the poem are truly inspiring. For example, "Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope and singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air." This line creates a vivid and beautiful image in our minds, filling us with a sense of hope and joy. Another quote, "The world is encouraged to come away from rancor, Come the way of friendship." This simple yet powerful message reminds us of the importance of leaving behind our differences and coming together in friendship. And finally, "Come and fill us and our world with your majesty. We, the Jew and the Jainism, 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." This quote emphasizes the unity of all religions and the need for us to look beyond our superficial differences and see the common humanity within us all.

This isn't designed for children. Even though it contains pictures, it is a speech about tolerance and political correctness, emphasizing the importance of having peace towards all peoples and all religions.

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This was a short and easy read. It was truly remarkable how Maya Angelou had the ability to combine words in such a simple yet profound manner.

Even though this piece was published in 2010, the theme of racial harmony and unity that she addressed is still highly relevant today.

In our modern society, where differences in race and ethnicity still exist, Angelou's words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of coming together and treating one another with respect and kindness.

The only thing that could have enhanced this reading experience even further is if it was an audiobook, with Angelou herself reading her own words.

Her voice, with its unique cadence and emotional depth, would have added an extra layer of authenticity and impact to the already beautiful text.

Overall, this was a wonderful piece of literature that left a lasting impression on me.

I was at the library when I came across this work by Maya Angelou. I immediately picked it up. I have a deep love for it. I truly appreciate how the art combines different religions and races. Moreover, I enjoy the simple yet profound message that we can apply right now - Peace. It's all about people coming together and listening to the song that we all long for, which is Peace.

The kids, however, showed rather little reaction. It didn't seem to touch a nerve for them, at least not during this Christmas season. This is a Christmas message, and it's about this time of year when Peace is most attainable. It might not be solely about receiving gifts. I'm glad that they heard the message in this book, hoping that it can take root in their hearts.

I firmly believe that this will become a yearly book in our household. It holds such significance and value that I look forward to sharing it with my family year after year.

Oh my, what a lovely little story!

It delves deep into the real meaning of peace, exploring the concept in a profound and thought-provoking way.

To further support this idea, it presents a series of multicultural pictures that add a visual dimension to the narrative.

These pictures are not only beautiful but also serve to enhance the overall message of the story.

It is truly a blessing to be able to read such a wonderful piece of work.

Maya Angelou has once again struck gold with this project.

Not only is the story fantastic, but the graphics are also beautiful works of art.

They combine to create a truly immersive and engaging experience for the reader.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who is looking for a meaningful and inspiring read.

It is sure to touch your heart and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of peace.

We joyously clap our hands and heartily welcome the Peace of Christmas. This is a time when we long for this wonderful season to linger with us for a while. We, from different religious backgrounds such as Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, all say come, Peace. Come and fill us and our entire world with your majestic presence. We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian, also implore you to stay with us for a while. So that by your shimmering light, we may learn how to look beyond the surface of complexion and truly see the community that we all belong to. Christmas is a time of unity and peace, and we should all embrace it with open hearts and minds.

  




  We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.

We beckon this good season to wait a while 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 a while with us.

So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look beyond complexion and see community.

***

Lol, I have to hit my reading challenge, so I'm at the library reading poem books!

It's a wonderful place to be, surrounded by the written word and the quiet of others lost in their own literary worlds.

As I peruse the shelves, I come across a beautiful poem that catches my eye. It reads, "It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time."

This simple yet profound line makes me stop and think. Christmas is indeed a time when we should put aside our differences and come together in love and peace.

It's a time to reach out to those we may have had conflicts with and offer forgiveness.

As I continue to read the poem, I am filled with a sense of hope and inspiration. Maybe this Christmas, we can all do our part to make it a halting of hate time.

Maybe we can spread a little more kindness and love in the world.

I close the book, feeling grateful for the opportunity to have discovered this beautiful poem and for the reminder it has given me of the true meaning of Christmas.