For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   (ESV)

Finding peace in a time of turmoil or tragedy is difficult for most of us. But Henry Wadsworth Longfellow did exactly that in his writing of the Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

 

He found himself widowed for a second time, raising five children and caring for his oldest son, Charley, who had been shot during a battle in the Civil War, and while he survived, he came home to recover, all during the Christmas season.

 

He was outside when he heard the Christmas bells ringing. The world as he knew it was tearing itself apart in civil war. It didn’t seem like there was much peace on earth or goodwill towards men. But he held strong to the promises of God’s hope, peace and goodwill.

 

Wake up and realize that it is not our current situations that determine the outcome, but rather how we hold on to the promises God has given us. What makes the baby in the manger so amazing is the fact that the cross and His death and resurrection were in the shadows of His future, yet He came to bring us the Light of His love, joy, grace and peace that could only come from God’s Son.

 

 

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

 

 

If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.

 

 

 

 

I heard the bells on Christmas day

 

1

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace of earth, good will to men.

 

2

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

3

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.”

 

4

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.”

5 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.