"Peace on Earth" in 2025: Why We Crave Christmas Lyrics with Substance
There are two types of Christmas songs.
The first type is about the decoration. These are the songs about snow, reindeer, Santa Claus, and sleigh bells. They are fun. They set the mood for a party. We need them.
But there is a second type of Christmas song. These are the songs about the human condition.
These songs aren't about what is under the tree. They are about what is happening in the world. As we head into the end of 2025, I find myself skipping the "Jingle Bell" tracks and gravitating toward the songs that actually have something to say.
The "Substance" Hall of Fame: 3 Songs That Got It Right
To understand why lyrics matter, we have to look at the masters. These artists took a holiday known for "fluff" and turned it into a protest for peace.
John Lennon - "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)":
This isn't really a Christmas song; it’s an anti-war song disguised with sleigh bells. The lyric "And so this is Christmas / And what have you done?" is confrontational. It forces the listener to self-reflect. It’s a genius songwriting trick: using a melody you love to deliver a message you need to hear.
Stevie Wonder - "Someday at Christmas":
Released during the Civil Rights movement, this song imagines a world free from hunger and war. It acknowledges that the world is broken, but holds onto hope. That tension—between the reality of today and the hope for tomorrow—is what makes it timeless.
Joni Mitchell - "River":
While not about "World Peace," it is about "Inner Peace." It admits that Christmas can be lonely. It validates the sadness that many people feel in December, which is sometimes the most comforting message of all.
The Hardest Thing to Write
As a songwriter, I can tell you a secret: It is incredibly easy to write a song about snow. It is incredibly hard to write a song about "Peace on Earth" without sounding cheesy.
Sincerity is risky. It’s vulnerable. When you write lyrics about unity or hope, you open yourself up to cynicism. That is why so many modern pop artists stick to covers of "Santa Baby." It’s safer.
But the 80s—the era I grew up in—wasn't afraid of big messages. We had "We Are the World." We had "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Artists weren't just entertainers; they were trying to move the needle on how we treated each other.
(I talk more about capturing real emotion in songwriting in my guide: How to Write a Love Song)
The Power of the Trio (Unity in Sound)
This is also why I chose to record the song as a Trio with Lance Jyo and Rachel Gonzales.
I could have sung it alone. But visually and sonically, I wanted to represent unity. When you hear three distinct voices—different tones, different textures—coming together to form a single harmony, it subconsciously reinforces the message of the lyrics.
We are better when we blend.
A Challenge for Your Ears
This week, as you listen to your holiday playlists, pay attention to the words.
Are you listening to the "decoration"? Or are you listening to the "substance"?
If you are looking for a song that speaks to the hope we all need right now, I invite you to listen to the lyrics of our new track. It’s my small contribution to the tradition of songs that try to make the world a little bit warmer.