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Peace on Earth There old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, goodwill to men. I thought how as the day had come The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, goodwill to men. And in despair I bowed my head, “There is no peace on earth,”I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, goodwill to men.” ‘Til ringing, singing on its way The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth goodwill to men. The beautiful old carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”, as many of you know, was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the dark days of the Civil War. Longfellow speaks of the bells that ring out the Christmas message of “Peace” and reflects on the lack of peace in his world. Now over a hundred years later, the bells of Christmas still roll out the carols of “Peace on Earth” and our world still seems to lack peace. Iraq, Sudan, West Africa, Afghanistan, Israel, Iran, Korea, Indonesia, fights on basketball courts, shootings while deer hunting, … With the constant reports of the “mopping up” work being done by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the terrorist threat is still constantly in the back of our minds. With the lack of self-control even in our own country, activities that are supposed to be recreation are becoming violent. I’m afraid that like Longfellow, we often feel that “There is not peace on earth” for “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth”. My prayer for this Christmas season is that we may all slow down a little bit and realize that the peace which the Angels spoke of to the shepherds is an inner peace and a trust that “God Is Not Dead, nor doth He sleep”. On the cross, Jesus won the victory over wrong. He, too, is still in the “mopping up” process because He does not wish that any should perish. He is gradually freeing His people as they come to believe in Him. Jesus said, “My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives…” His peace is the inner realization that “wrong shall fail,” and God will prevail. The day is coming when, even as He rules in the hearts of believers, and as He is presently Sovereign over the ultimate happenings in the world, one day Jesus will return to rule on earth. The Bible promises that “One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”. Rest in the peace of that promise. Slow down and enjoy listening for the bells of this Christmas Season and remember the truth of “Peace on Earth Good Will to Men.” |
