John Menadue

ANDREW AILES. Peace on earth - the children of Aleppo.

Peace on Earth

Peace on earth. Goodwill to men, Echoes like Sullivan’s Great Amen: The chord he lost when sitting by, His brother as he watched him die.

And so this year we’ll watch again, Aleppo’s children wracked with pain. Such is the lottery of life, All they’ve ever known is strife.

Peace is the most elusive prize, That disappears before our eyes. Well intentioned intervention, Seems to heighten confrontation.

In a world of movers and shakers, How Blessed are the Peace Makers? And how fortunate are we, Rejoicing with our family?

So let us raise our Christmas cheers, For all those nameless volunteers, Unsung heroes, dressed in white, Who labour through the war-torn night.

They are weary and ill at ease, Driven by kindness, nobody sees. They may not mark a Christian birth, But we can wish them Peace on Earth.

Happy Christmas 2016

Andrew Ailes is a British foreign news veteran living in London.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.

John Menadue

John Menadue is the Founder of Pearls and Irritations and a board member. He was formerly the Editor-in-Chief. John was the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet under Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, Ambassador to Japan, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and CEO of Qantas.

John Menadue

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