Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - 11 Days & Ways To Have A Merry ChristmasChikamu

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I have always loved the Christmas song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”  It is a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1863.

At that time, Longfellow had seen his life fall apart.  His beloved wife had just died; his house was burned to the ground; and his son, whom he begged to not get involved in the great Civil War, joined anyway and was mortally wounded.  All of these horrific events converging together would cause any person a sense of gloom and despair.  In my mind, I can imagine the bells on Christmas day and the glad tidings of "peace on earth good will towards man" mocking Longfellow’s grief. 

You can hear it in the second verse:

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 toward men.

Can you hear the pain--not only the pain from his own personal life but the pain of watching a whole nation come apart and kill each other?  Hate and greed always lead to bitterness and death!  I asked a historian about our current situation in America and what it will take for us to find good will and peace.  His answer was pretty painful to hear.  He said we will find peace and good will “when we get tired of killing and being killed.”

History is full of wars and you have to ask yourself, “When will it be enough?”  Those of us who say we belong to another kingdom cannot dismiss our duty to love and care for those outside of our faith.  Our faith calls us to bring the light of liberty into each soul we encounter.  Now is not the time to let your light go out.  Now, more than ever, we need people of faith to not drape the cross of our Lord with the flag of a political party but with an ever-flowing stream of justice and righteousness. (Amos 5:24) 

This is how I read Longfellow’s journey of reasoning.  He didn’t give up, nor did he stay in despair or take up scapegoating.  Listen to the last verse:

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 toward men.”

That, my friend, is FAITH!  God is not dead.  He will bring His justice and His peace.  Until then, we must look ourselves in the mirror each day and say, “Let it begin in me!”  In small ways, you can be the peace you desire.  Through one conversation at a time, you can stop demanding to be understood and instead serve.  It is impossible to argue with someone who will not speak.  The grace and peace that comes from walking in intimate relationship to the Savior will shine brighter than any argument you can pose.  

Remember when Peter took out the sword and cut off the ear of the guard who was there to take Jesus to the cross.  What did our Lord say?  He basically said, ”Not this way, Peter! Don’t you know I could call the host of heaven to fight and save me? My kingdom is a kingdom of love.” (Matthew 26:52-54)

When I sing the song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” it teaches me to stay in faith and pray for the healing of our land.  Its poetry reminds me that God is not dead.  The right will prevail one day.  Mercy and justice will indeed roll down like thunder, and He will reign forever and evermore.  In a world still filled with war and hate, remember our greatest weapons are faith, hope, and love.  Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord. (Zechariah 4:6)