"There is no peace on earth."
This line, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "Christmas Bells", may be a line ringing through many hearts and minds these days. Yesterday's shootings in San Bernadino, California, just adds to the lists of tragedies and terror attacks that fill our news feeds day after day. From Paris to Mali, across these United States, and all around our world, it seems there is no peace to be found.
When Longfellow penned these words in the mid-1860s, the United States was in the midst of civil war. Longfellow's wife had died, and one of his sons had been seriously injured in the war. Originally the poem had seven stanzas, with two of them referring specifically to the war. Eventually those two stanzas were removed, giving us the five stanzas that comprise the Christmas carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".
Longfellow's dilemma mirrors our own in these difficult days. We sing Christmas carols about peace on earth. We read the Christmas story with the angelic proclamation of "Peace on earth, good will to men." Yet we look around us and see no peace. That was Longfellow's world, just as it is ours.
"Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."
Longfellow's bells proclaimed a truth we would do well to remember in these troublesome times. The bells pealed "loud and deep" that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep." The Psalmist proclaimed the same truth when he told us in Psalm 121 that God neither slumbers nor sleeps.
Longfellow affirmed another powerful truth of Scripture when he wrote, "The wrong shall fail, the right prevail." These words echo Daniel 9:24: "to finish the transgression, to make and end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness."
Just as Longfellow did, we live in a world where there is no peace. A world where violence is increasing. We life in challenging times, both politically and personally.
Even so, we can be at peace, in spite of the turmoil around us. In spite of financial stress and difficult relationships. In spite of loss. In spite of shootings and terror attacks.
That's why Jesus came.
To bring us peace..
Because He is the Prince of Peace.
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:7 NASB, emphasis mine)
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." (Colossians 3:13a NASB)
Do you know this kind of peace? Do you know the Prince of Peace? If not, why not turn to Him today?
When Longfellow penned these words in the mid-1860s, the United States was in the midst of civil war. Longfellow's wife had died, and one of his sons had been seriously injured in the war. Originally the poem had seven stanzas, with two of them referring specifically to the war. Eventually those two stanzas were removed, giving us the five stanzas that comprise the Christmas carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".
Longfellow's dilemma mirrors our own in these difficult days. We sing Christmas carols about peace on earth. We read the Christmas story with the angelic proclamation of "Peace on earth, good will to men." Yet we look around us and see no peace. That was Longfellow's world, just as it is ours.
"Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."
Longfellow's bells proclaimed a truth we would do well to remember in these troublesome times. The bells pealed "loud and deep" that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep." The Psalmist proclaimed the same truth when he told us in Psalm 121 that God neither slumbers nor sleeps.
Longfellow affirmed another powerful truth of Scripture when he wrote, "The wrong shall fail, the right prevail." These words echo Daniel 9:24: "to finish the transgression, to make and end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness."
Just as Longfellow did, we live in a world where there is no peace. A world where violence is increasing. We life in challenging times, both politically and personally.
Even so, we can be at peace, in spite of the turmoil around us. In spite of financial stress and difficult relationships. In spite of loss. In spite of shootings and terror attacks.
That's why Jesus came.
To bring us peace..
Because He is the Prince of Peace.
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:7 NASB, emphasis mine)
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." (Colossians 3:13a NASB)
Do you know this kind of peace? Do you know the Prince of Peace? If not, why not turn to Him today?
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will 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, good will 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, good will 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, good will to men."
Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!
(-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
Listen to the Gaither Vocal Band sing this carol here:
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