Peace, When there Seems to Be No Peace

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

I love this beautiful Christmas song. In our world today hate and pain do seem to be growing unimaginably strong. When we look at the tragedies surrounding us it’s easy to conclude that the is no peace on earth but I love the ending words of this song….. “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth he sleep”.  We have a powerful, sovereign God who is very much alive and there will come a day when He will restore peace on earth.

And this Christmas He offers a peace that surpasses understanding to all believing hearts through His glorious Gospel.  As believers we have a sure foundation and a hope of eternal peace with God as well as the gift of peace in our hearts when all the world seems to topple and fall.

Merry Christmas to you all and may the peace of God resound in your hearts today and always!

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