For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
A poignant Christmas carol is “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day” based on a poem entitled “Christmas Bells” written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the Civil War. The words to some of the refrains are here:
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 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.”
Our world is filled with sorrow and strife and sometimes it seems that peace is so far away. As a new year dawns in just a few days we know that troubles will come along with the joys and successes that lay ahead. Longfellow’s poem reminds us that those feelings are not unique to our time. Throughout history there has been a heaviness of evil in this world.
The good news? We have One who fights for us who is the Prince of Peace! One day Jesus will come back, not as an infant in a manger but as a mighty warrior who will bring peace to every man, woman and child who trusts in Him.
This peace is also available today to anyone who seeks it. We are reminded in Ephesians 2:14 “For He himself is our peace…” When we ask and believe Jesus will instill in us a peace that cannot be explained by earthly standards. In the midst of tumult we can have peace in our hearts from the One who loves us, shepherds us and calms us through any storm.
As the new year approaches spend some time seeking the peace Jesus offers and ask Him to remind you throughout the year that He is there waiting to let that peace rule in our hearts through trust in Him.
Paula Davis 