Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem

By Maya Angelou

This dazzling Christmas poem by Maya Angelou is powerful and inspiring for people of all faiths.

In this beautiful, deeply moving poem, Maya Angelou inspires us to embrace the peace and promise of Christmas, so that hope and love can once again light up our holidays and the world. “Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, look heavenward,” she writes, “and speak the word aloud. Peace.”

Read by the poet at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the White House on December 1, 2005, Maya Angelou’ s celebration of the “Glad Season” is a radiant affirmation of the goodness of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 21, 2009
• ISBN: 9780307493927

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was one of the world's most important writers and activists. Born 4 April 1928, she lived and chronicled an extraordinary life: rising from poverty, violence and racism, she became a renowned author, memoirist, poet, playwright, civil rights' activist - working with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. She wrote and performed a poem, 'On the Pulse of Morning', for President Clinton on his inauguration. She was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama and was honoured by more than seventy universities throughout the world. She first thrilled the world with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969). This was followed by six volumes of autobiography, the seventh and final volume, Mom & Me & Mom, published in 2013. She wrote three collections of essays; many volumes of poetry, including His Day is Done, a tribute to Nelson Mandela; and two cookbooks. She had a lifetime appointment as Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University of North Carolina. She died in 2014.

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Reviews for Amazing Peace

[stephlaymon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou is aptly named, not just because it reflects the content of the poem, but also because amazing peace is what the words deliver to it's reader.
This is one of the most beautiful poems that I have read, and it spoke to my heart, especially on this day when our country is so divided over election results.
I recommend everyone to read this, and experience the message as I have. Note: There is also a children's picture book available.

Quotes:

Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope and singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.

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.

[sandralb-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a beautiful Christmas Poem written by Maya Angelou. I have read some of her writings before and enjoyed them very much. Not only is her words beautiful, but the art in this book, by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher was stunning. Love, Peace and Good Will are always the theme for the Christmas season. But oh how they are needed in the world today.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A poem that speaks of Christmas and faith and that peace that comes from believing in Christmas.

[dukefan86 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Nice poem, pretty illustrations!

[allawishus_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The illustrations are honestly what are meaningful to me about this book. The artists take great care with textures and incorporate fabric scraps into their paintings. The scenes are of a small town gathering, candlelight, peace - very evocative and beautiful. I'm not sure about the poem's religious implication that all "tribes" "celebrate the promise of peace" with the birth of Jesus.