Luke 2:13–15 (NIV)
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
CONSIDER THIS
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!
This classic Christmas carol was written by the renowned American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. And as the lyrics suggest, he crafted it after hearing the local church bells ringing in the celebration of Christmas Day.
But here’s the thing. He wrote this on Christmas Day 1863.
In the throes of the American Civil War.
Our nation was being torn apart and swallowed by turmoil. The violence and bloodshed were unthinkable. Too many fathers and sons were missing from the family table that day. Many never to return.
Longfellow’s own son was badly wounded while fighting for the Union, and his survival was still in question. Which is why he answers the first verse with another.
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!”
These words seem more like reality. And as they spoke to the turmoil and chaos of those days, they ring true in our time as well.
But Christians are strange people. In the midst of tragedy, we often find ourselves reaching for a song. Not in naive denial. But as an act of defiance. A protest against the way things are. A prophetic and poetic vision of how they could be, should be, will be. Advent teaches us to sing in the dark. With the stubborn hope that the Light is on the way.
And that’s exactly why our poet friend writes yet another verse. We will give the last word to Mr. Longfellow and borrow his song for the season we find ourselves in.
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”
THE PRAYER
God of Peace, prevail in the thick of our chaos. God of Light, teach us to sing in the dark.
THE QUESTION
Which verse of this song do you relate to the most? How is heaven singing a defiant peace into your life?
For the Awakening,
Matt LeRoy
P. S. WAKE-UP CALL CHRISTMAS PARTY
On Monday night, December 18, 7–8 p.m. (CST) join J. D. Walt, friends, and special guests for Advent awakening encouragement, Christmas carol singing, testimony, and prayer. Bring your own hot chocolate! Here’s the link.
Subscribe to get this in your inbox daily and please share this link with friends.
3 Responses
Go and see the Prince of Peace. Even shepherds knew that it’s not enough to simply hear about Jesus. They went searching for Him until they found Him in the least likely place. After they experienced the presence of the living Jesus, they were overcome with joy and began to go and talk about Him everywhere. Their passionate, heart-felt words amazed people! Shouldn’t we act like the shepherds today and go and make disciples, instead of merely hearing a talk about Jesus and then going away and forgetting about what we heard?
When I read the Bible, it burns in my heart and makes me want to go and see and experience the things that the Lord has told me about in His Book. I’m not content to read about “peace on earth and good will to men.” I want to see Jesus brighten up my own heart. I want to be contagious with the light of God’s peace and good will and to spread it far and wide in this dark world.
I can only speak for myself, but second verse could have been written now. Whether it’s our Federal governmental dysfunction, denominational struggles, health issues affecting the population, or climate controversies ; I can’t ever recall so much turmoil threatening the peace and unity of this nation. If the folks of our country are unable to see the Light of Christ shine through His people; where can they go?
From the sky’s brightest star, God led the “three men from the Orient are.”
He didn’t make them go.
Jesus calls humanity to follow Him.
He doesn’t make us follow.
But, whenever we do, there is peace.
First, inside us.
Then, outside of us.
Because He came for all of us.
Staying 💪’n Christ
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.