I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born...and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

“God exalted him (Jesus) to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel “.(And those of us grafted in) (Acts 5:31).

PEACE …PEACE – all the world talks about it but there is no PEACE on earth –except in the hearts of those who firmly rest In Jesus Christ.  “PEACE I leave with you, my PEACE I give you, not as the world gives.” John 14:27

Peace comes in the form of Jesus – but it is also a choice of lifestyle, a condition of the heart.

Have you heard any bells of PEACE?  I am old enough to remember the ending of the various theaters of WWII.  How loud and long the Church Bells rang out!! Church Bells rang out world- wide. Peace had come at last - but not to stay.  When men’s hearts are geared towards power and control – there will never be peace. (Our grands think we are older than dirt, but I did not hear the Liberty Bell ring!)

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.

And 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.

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.

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.”

When I was growing up Church Bells rang out to call the community to worship.  We don’t hear them as much today, sometimes at Christmas Time and New Year’s Day.  I miss them.  In Jesus’ day, and before, it was the Shofar that called people to worship. 

When Jesus was born on earth, the Romans ruled all the lands around the Mediterranean Sea.  They had conquered them by force and ruled with an iron hand!  There was a "system of justice" but not for everyone.  People frequently were put to death without reason.  There was a lot of turmoil, rebellion and dissension among the subjects.

This was over 2000 years ago and there still is no peace on earth.  Nations have fought civil wars, holy wars, wars over countries and wars to settle differences. It is hard to count all the wars in the world today - cold wars, police actions, and skirmishes.  Matthew 24:6 tells us there will be wars and rumors of wars until Jesus comes again.

Having spent time in Israel, I enjoy hearing their Hebrew word for peace – Shalom.  They offer it as a greeting, as a good-by and a blessing on Fridays as you hear “Shabbat Shalom’.  Shalom is more comprehensive than just ‘without conflict’.  The short meaning is ‘being all that God created me to be’: right relationship with God the Father, perfect health, perfect wealth, ie spiritual tranquility.”

 I looked up the word ‘peace’ in the Bible Concordance and found it occurs in each book of the New Testament except I John.  It is used to describe harmonious relations to God, between men, between nations, and sense of rest and contentment.

To put all this in perspective, one needs to remember that the Kingdom of God today is invisible and not of this world; it is in the hearts of those who have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord.   This is difficult to explain to someone who lies on the edge of turmoil and crisis, but Jesus came that we wouldn't have to live in the defeat and the blackness of yesterday; He is our hope of Eternity with God the Father.

SOOO .. young friends and not so young ones, Jesus gave us this gift of peace, but it is only valuable when we use it.  We can leave it in the wrapping if we choose.  As we let Jesus control more of our thoughts and actions, more of His peace floods our soul.  It requires us to ask forgiveness.  As Christians we think we can handle the big crisis; but get all upset with the little things in daily living.  We need to confess this whole attitude as sin and let Jesus take over ALL our problems and give us His PEACE.

I know from my own experience that Jesus can bring peace to your heart - no matter what the circumstances – disappointments, death of a child, battling cancer myself and in loved ones, loss of job.

PRAYER:  Jesus, thank you for the peace you bring to trouble hearts and minds midst the turmoil and chaos of the world. In Your invisible kingdom we see such visible results as we trust you…..