Written by Vickie Stone from The Village Church
December of 2000 would be the first Christmas my family would navigate after the loss of my big sis to cancer at age 40. She was our social director and the Christmas season, just 3 months after Lorrie’s passing, seemed empty without her. Songs of the season only reminded me of how much my sister loved Christmas time. For several years the heartache was heavy, as anyone who’s lost a loved one understands as they face the holidays. I recall sitting in my living room looking at my Christmas lights one year, and a song played, “And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said.” That fits, I thought. Yet, the following lines of the song forced open my heart and tenderly reminded me of the significance of the Savior’s birth: “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 Henry Longfellow penned these words over 150 years ago. He was himself in the grips of despair, from the tragic loss of his wife in a fire and the serious injury of his son in the Civil War. Indeed, our very country was also hurting. So how poignant that now and over the decades, Longfellow’s lyrics can be so comforting to a hurting world. Whether during war times, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, or even this year’s horrific political assassinations including that of young Christian Charlie Kirk who encouraged so many to open their Bibles and believe in the Savior. So, let us hold fast to our faith and celebrate this Christmas and every day of the year, remembering God is not dead. He was born a baby to enter our world and save us; and nothing will ever separate us from Him.
When men repent and turn from sin the Prince of Peace then enters in, and grace imparts within their hearts His peace on earth, good will to men. O souls amid earth’s busy strife, the Word of God is light and life; Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice, Hail peace on earth, good will to men. Then happy, singing on your way, your world will change from night to day; your heart will feel the message real, of peace on earth, good will to men.
Pathways Press.com 