Peace On Earth

Peace on earth.

Good will towards men. 

It seems everywhere we look, we see anger, hate, murder, strife and sadness. Not this peace of which the carols speak of. 

This time of year is for peace on earth, a time to look past the burdens of the world and remember that grace and mercy do exist. But as we watch the news of children being murdered here in the USA, in places where they should be safe, it's hard to see that peace and good will happen.

When things like Newtown, CT happen, we can get anxious, afraid, angry, bitter...the list goes on. We can also question if there is a God. If He is real, where is He? How could He let this happen? They were innocent children, why would He turn His face? On and on those questions go, as well. 

We can let the actions of a broken individual cause change in our own actions/reactions. 

~~~

But let me say this...nothing we can do, will prevent bad things from happening. 

Nothing.

Not one thing in our ability can prevent this tragedy from happening again, somewhere else. 

We live in a world that is broken, hurting, full of anger and/or pain. All of us have been hurt or broken before, all of us have tasted the sting of anger.  

While my heart hurts for those who are hurting, I also grieve, hurt, cry out with hope. 

Hope that He hears me. 

Hope that He will give me peace. 

Hope. 

That He will mend this brokenness inside. 

That is what makes His children different from those who don't believe. 

We have HOPE. We can choose to accept the peace He gives.

We can choose to not allow fear take a hold of our hearts. 

We can place the fear we feel, at HIS feet. 

And leave it there. 

Today, I ask you to believe Him. 

Believe He is a loving God.

That He can and will give you peace. 

Take your fear, your anger and your sadness in return. 

Oh Lord, cover the broken hearts, broken spirits and hurting people today. 

This season is one in which we celebrate the birth, the promise, the fulfillment of Your Word, in Your Son.

Give Your peace to those who need it, 

Be a balm to those who hurt beyond words. 

In Jesus precious name, 

Amen. 

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867)

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."

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!