Peace on Earth?

Peace on Earth.  We sing about it every year at this time.  We read of it in Luke 2:14 when the angel informing the shepherds of Christ’s birth is joined by a heavenly host.  They continued praising God and said, ““Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Peace…it seems like a completely foreign concept or worse yet…a cruel joke of something that can never be.  Peace is something that most of us desperately long for, yet I doubt anyone has truly experienced for more than a fleeting moment.  Many search their entire lives for it and never find it.  Peace.  Real peace…no fear, no pain, no suffering, no hate, no despair.  The realities of this world seem to stand in stark contrast to any type of meaningful peace.   People are being persecuted, tortured, and killed for their beliefs.  Men are being gunned down for no reason other than the uniform and badge they wear.  Children are starving to death.  Far too many people are dying at far too an young far too often.  Lives are being shattered and worlds are falling apart.  Peace seems like a complete impossibility.

I recently learned about the background to a song that I have known for quite a while entitled “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”  Many of us know this song and can relate to the feelings it so clearly expresses.  As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus with those we love, we look around and see so much tragedy in this world.  But, for better or worse, tragedy and death are nothing new.  The writer of this beloved song lived at a similarly tragic time.  This was a time when brother fought brother to the death and bloodshed was seen on a scale many had never imagined possible.  This song was birthed out of the painful part of our nation’s history during the Civil War.

Let me briefly explain a bit of what I have learned.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a poet and professor from Maine.  His wife, Frances, and he had six children.  In July of 1961, while Frances was sealing locks of their children’s hair in envelopes, her dress caught on fire.  Henry was awoken from his nap and attempted to extinguish the flames.  At first he threw a small rug on her but when this was unsuccessful, he threw himself upon her.  By the time, the fire was out Frances was severely burned.  Sadly, she died the next morning.  Henry also was burned and later grew a beard to hide his facial scars.  In March of 1863 the Longfellow’s eldest child, Charles, left the family home to join the Union Army to fight in the Civil War.  On November 27th of that year, Charles suffered a serious bullet wound that nearly severed his spinal cord.  On Christmas day, Henry found himself in Washington D.C. with his injured son.  It was at this time that he wrote a poem capturing the mix of emotions he felt.  He was still grieving the loss of his wife and now witnessed firsthand the devastation of the Civil War.  Yet in this dark place, he still recognized the hope represented in the Christmas celebrations.  As he heard the bells peeling through the air and songs of peace being sung, Henry remained confident in the hope offered through the birth of Christ.

The world is undoubtably overflowing with pain, suffering, injustice, and violence.  In short, the world is full of sin and it’s effects.  Life is unfair and painful….for now.  While lasting peace seems like an unattainable goal, it is coming.  Through the person of Jesus Christ, everlasting peace will occur.  It is my hope and prayer that as we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year that you will be granted a small taste of this coming peace.  As you sing songs of peace, pray for those who are experiencing anything but.  When you hear the bells ringing, thank God for his immense and undeserved gift to all mankind.  May we all seek to love as Christ loved us and live following his example.

There are many great versions of this song.  My personal favorites are those by Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe, and Casting Crowns.  Below is a link to the Casting Crowns version from their album entitled Peace on Earth.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Casting Crowns

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth)
Like a choir they’re singing (Peace on Earth)
In my heart I hear them
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

But the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth)
Like a choir singing (Peace on Earth)
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (Peace on Earth, peace on Earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Then 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 the bells they’re ringing (Peace on Earth)
Like a choir they’re singing (Peace on Earth)
And with our hearts we’ll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they’re ringing? (Peace on Earth)
The life the angels singing (Peace on Earth)
Open up your heart and hear them (Peace on Earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men

This picture was taken two years ago today at my sister’s home in North Carolina where we were able to celebrate an early Christmas together.  This was the first and last time Hannah was able to meet some of her extended family.  We are so so thankful for the special times we shared, yet it it is still so hard.  We are so far from that point and we all want so badly to be able to celebrate with our princess here.   Just today, Levi again mentioned how much he misses Hannah.  Please pray for us as we simultaneously celebrate and mourn.  While our home is full, there will always be an unfillable emptiness.  We ache for Hannah, we ache for home.

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Aaron Kelley

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