I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day -

Hey Gang:  The bride f my youth has accumulated a library of very special Christmas books that she reads each year.   One is titled Christ in the Carols, printed in 1999 and she has perused it each of the past ten years.  Each year there are ones that appear more special than others and in some years there is one that stands out in bold print, as one special for this day.  Such was the case this year when she read ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day’ by Henry W. Longfellow. 

 This is the devotional:

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!”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote these words of this familiar carol during a period of intense conflict in 1863..  The nation was locked in a bloody battle, North pitted against South in a struggle to the death, as the Civil War threatened to tear the United States apart.

Surveying the situation, Longfellow was overcome with despair.  It appeared that evil had triumphed over good, strife had replaced peace.  The message of Christmas seemed distant, even futile.  Then he heard it – the sound of the bells.  Church bells ringing, proclaiming peace on earth, good will to men.  Surrounded on all sides by death and hatred, the bells were a necessary reminder that God was at work.  He had not forsaken his people. 

Just as the bells encouraged Longfellow, the words of his carol refresh and renew our hope.  They remind us that no matter what happens, no matter how bleak the circumstance, God is still in control and he is faithful.  “Jesus is alive!” the bells continue to ring out.  “And his kingdom will never end!”

Reflection

Is God faithful?  Does He really mean what He ways?  Can we trust Him?  The answer is Yes!  Let these promises enliven your faith and give you the confidence to stand firm against trials and tribulations.

We are truly living in that time described by the writer of Hebrews when he wrote, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.”  This expression “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our god is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:26b-29).

“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God.  He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands” (Deut. 7:9).

Blessings to each and all this Christmas Season and throughout the coming New Year,

Gramps and Grandma