I’ll be honest…there is a Christmas hymn that I remember hearing when I was younger, that I never really cared for. I’m sure that it had nothing to do with the words of the song, it was probably something about the music itself that just wasn’t interesting to me. The song to which I am referring is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”, and the lyrics to the song were written by none other than famed American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
In 2008, a musical group called Casting Crowns did a cover of that song in a contemporary style. I LOVED IT! What a powerful sound from the band, mixed with the pure and gentle voices of a children’s choir. For some reason, hearing the song in a different setting allowed me to take notice of the words a little more closely. The third verse is especially poignant as it says, “…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.” How odd to hear such sad words in a classic Christmas song. Why would the author write such a line?
According to Robert Morgan in his book, “Then Sings My Soul”, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote these lyrics during the civil war, having lost his wife to a tragic accident, and having nursed his war-injured son back to health from a near fatal gun shot wound. As his inner turmoil finally began to take form in poetry, Longfellow wrote out the song that expressed not only his grief and fear over a war-torn nation, but also all of the personal trial and difficulty he and his family had endured. This third verse is a candid confession of the reality of Longfellow’s frustration at the lack of peace and reassurance in his life, and his fears for the safety and preservation of this great nation. But the next verse is the brilliant reply that God seems to have given him in the sound of a church bell.
Longfellow writes, “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.” This is the great promise of the ages- God is not dead, nor does He sleep! When life’s difficulties seem too powerful to overcome, when the security of the nation’s people and economy seem to hang by a thread, when we suffer sickness and loss, God has not stepped off of His throne. He is not wandering about the universe with His eye on something else. God’s ways, though unknown to us, are still in play, and He will do that which works to His glory and our good.
Perhaps you are among the many who are looking at Christmas with eyes that are still wet with tears, with a heart that is reeling with confusion or loss, or with the weight of the world with its many fears bearing down upon you. Can I just encourage you with the words of this song? God is not dead, nor does He sleep. He sees you and He knows you better than you know yourself. He is not out of control, rather He sits as a compassionate king over all that He has made. He is good and His loving kindness endures to all generations. Take time this season to remember all that God has done for you. Give Him thanks and rest in His care for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment