#for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth goodwill to men

[guinevereslancelot]

god is not dead nor doth he sleep btw. if you even care

[apieters]

I tried to sing this song today, but I still cannot without bringing tears to my eyes. Few songs can. This one does. The story makes it all the more poignant.

I started paying more attention to this song during 2020. I remember the hatred, the fear, the bitterness of many people. Some, perhaps many, on both sides of the various controversies had just reasons for their positions. Too many used those sentiments as a pretext for pettiness and cruelty, in speech and deed. The rich and powerful stoked the fears and suspicions of the public in order to boss people around, giving themselves the pretext to play God with people’s lives. And it was these last two groups of people, the powerful and the petty, who set the tone for those terrible years.

And that Christmas season, when I heard this song, I did weep in my car as I drove home from my “essential work.” There was no peace on earth, I said to myself. Hate was very strong, and people openly mocked the song of “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.”

It was in those days of existential despair that Longfellow’s poem provided a much needed flicker of hope. God did exist, that I was convinced through my own studies into the matter; certainly, He was not dead. But neither did He sleep. Yes, I thought, He cared about us even in the midst of our rebellion against His heart of love, in the midst of our hatred. Yes, I thought, just because we’re bad at living according to His character and resist His direction doesn’t reflect one bit on His love or power. For the Wrong shall fail—how can they succeed forever, when they take away all joy and give nothing back? People are less patient than God, and the Right way, the way of Love, will prevail, because isn’t that what we all really want—to be loved and to have the opportunity to how others how much we love them?

So I sang Longfellow’s song, and sing it still, longing for the day when the plans of evil people fail and Right prevails, as it has before in Longfellow’s day and as it must again in ours.

[theannecordeliashirley]

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 goodwill to men'

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

This one sure hit a different note this year

[craigtowens]

Humbug?!

In Longfellow’s classic I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day every stanza ends with the phrase “peace on earth, goodwill to men.” Unless you’ve been living someplace that doesn’t get the daily news, you might be saying, “Peace on earth? Really? I just don’t see it….” Or as Ebenezer Scrooge might say, “Peace on earth? Bah! Humbug!”

A humbug is an imposter, or something empty of meaning.

The third stanza of I Heard The Bells seems almost to slide into that Christmas humbug note: “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, goodwill to men.’”

Indeed, even for those who call themselves a Christian, Christmas could become a humbug if…

… it’s all about busyness or just trying to “survive the holidays”

… we get more excited about Santa Claus coming down the chimney to fill stockings than we do about Jesus coming down to Earth to be born in a manger

… our main focus is on gifts—both what you’re giving and what you’re getting—and then we regret putting ourselves into debt

Between Malachi (the last book of the Old Testament) and Matthew (the first book of the New Testament) is a time span of about 400 years that is called “the dark period.” God had promised through Jeremiah that He would restore the Israelites and rebuild Jerusalem. There were promises of the Messiah coming to set things right, but after 400 years of darkness, the mindset of most Israelites was probably, “Messiah? Peace? Bah! Humbug!!”

What God really promised through Jeremiah was a peace that came about as a result of two things: (1) forgiveness of sins and (2) restoration of a perfect relationship with God. The Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom, which means one’s personal sense of wholeness and well-being, free from anxiety and fear, knowing that all is well between my soul and God.

This is what God promises—I will cleanse them from ALL the sin they have committed against Me and will forgive ALL their sins of rebellion against Me (Jeremiah 33:8).

This shalom is what comes through the First Advent of Jesus! As Longfellow observed, “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, goodwill to men.”

And this is what Jesus brought—

She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins(Matthew 1:21 NIV).

Now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Himthrough the blood of Christ. For Christ Himself has brought peace to us… (Ephesians 2:13-14 NLT)

Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us grasp the fact that we have…peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) (Romans 5:1 AMP).

The bells and carols and remembrances of Christ’s First Advent should send our hearts soaring in anticipation of Christ’s Second Advent—when Christ shall return to take all of His own to be with Him forever, where He will wipe away every tear and where we live forever with Him in the New Jerusalem (see Jeremiah 33:9; John 14:3; Revelation 21:1-4).

Let us guard against Christmas ever becoming a humbug—an imposter, something empty of meaning—but let’s make sure the rich meaning of Christ’s peace dwells richly in us!

[dailydevotion-ltckyrke]

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The heavens ring with praises of Glory, and on the earth the peace that surpasses understanding given to mankind; God's good will was graciously bestowed. Goodwill - eudokia in the greek, God's good pleasure; his benevolence, his delight, pleasure, and satisfaction. Ephesians 1:5 CSB He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time - to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him. "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 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! May God's peace and good will ring in our hearts this Christmas! In Jesus name. https://www.instagram.com/p/CmjkgI3udag/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[unlockandrelease]

Peace on Earth

I am one of “those” people who started listening to Christmas music in early October to the horror of my musically-trained husband. Music has its specific seasons and October isn’t included in the music-listening Christmas season according to him. I disagree.

Additionally, his argument is a bit shaky since he begins prepping his band and choir for their Christmas concert around the same time I turn on the Christmas tunes at home…in October. I have a feeling we will be arguing over this one until our 50th wedding anniversary or until he retires.

However, because Christmas music has been playing for over a month in my ears, that also means the words, “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men” has been sung more than once in various carols. While I love that message, I will be the first to admit, I feel anything but peace and goodwill around me and in me these days.

There are days I truly fear my commute to and from work because of the seemingly extra angry drivers on the road. This is backed up with stories I have heard about horrible confrontations because someone was cut off, shootings on the freeway and passing by the latest car accident in a string of many accidents I have passed by lately.

This feeling is not helped by the fact that face masks still cover many faces and so expressions cannot be read. This is not advocating for or against mask-wearing. Just stating a fact. But just the fact I have to add that last statement speaks to the high emotions and heated disagreements we have all been part of and thus, all so very far from peace on earth.

Add that to the fact that many people are trying to return to normal, or act like things are normal, or try to force normal and then confronted with the fact that life just isn’t normal anymore. That only increases frustration when one realizes that yet again, Covid has gotten in the way of normal.

Many times I find myself relating to the Casting Crowns version of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” where one line 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 goodwill to men.”

I admit, I have felt that in my soul and in the hearts of those around me so often in the last 20 months. I am discouraged by the hate, the division, the violence, the pain and the suffering. How does one find peace on earth amid all that?

And yet…

Yet when I think of when the world, humanity, first heard those words, I begin to believe peace is not so far out of reach. Peace was spoken to a bunch of outcasts, on a hillside, in the middle of nowhere, at night. On top of which, the people receiving the message were under the thumb of the harsh Roman rule. Despite all that, God, through His angles spoke peace and gave the answer via His Son.

And there it is. Peace doesn’t depend on humanity. Peace was a Gift given to humanity for the taking, accepting and then putting it back out there for others to receive. We may sometimes fumble around and mess up in our extending that Peace to others. But Peace is never absent and will always find a way to show that peace and goodwill can be our reality.

Even in our world.

If you want to hear the whole Casting Crowns song (It’s definitely worth the listen!), follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0

Lyric Writers: John Mark Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, Byron Dale Oliver

[craigtowens]

Humbug?!

In Longfellow’s classic I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day every stanza ends with the phrase “peace on earth, goodwill to men.” Unless you’ve been living someplace that doesn’t get the daily news, you might be saying, “Peace on earth? Really? I just don’t see it….” Or as Ebenezer Scrooge might say, “Peace on earth? Bah! Humbug!”

A humbug is an imposter, or something empty of meaning.

The third stanza of I Heard The Bells seems almost to slide into that Christmas humbug note: “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, goodwill to men.’”

Indeed, even for those who call themselves a Christian, Christmas could become a humbug if…

… it’s all about busyness or just trying to “survive the holidays”

… we get more excited about Santa Claus coming down the chimney to fill stockings than we do about Jesus coming down to Earth to be born in a manger

… our main focus is on gifts—both what you’re giving and what you’re getting—and then we regret putting ourselves into debt

Between Malachi (the last book of the Old Testament) and Matthew (the first book of the New Testament) is a time span of about 400 years that is called “the dark period.” God had promised through Jeremiah that He would restore the Israelites and rebuild Jerusalem. There were promises of the Messiah coming to set things right, but after 400 years of darkness, the mindset of most Israelites was probably, “Messiah? Peace? Bah! Humbug!!”

What God really promised through Jeremiah was a peace that came about as a result of two things: (1) forgiveness of sins and (2) restoration of a perfect relationship with God. The Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom, which means one’s personal sense of wholeness and well-being, free from anxiety and fear, knowing that all is well between my soul and God.

This is what God promises—I will cleanse them from ALL the sin they have committed against Me and will forgive ALL their sins of rebellion against Me (Jeremiah 33:8).

This shalom is what comes through the First Advent of Jesus! As Longfellow observed, “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, goodwill to men.”

And this is what Jesus brought—

She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 NIV).

Now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ. For Christ Himself has brought peace to us… (Ephesians 2:13-14 NLT)

Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us grasp the fact that we have…peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) (Romans 5:1 AMP).

The bells and carols and remembrances of Christ’s First Advent should send our hearts soaring in anticipation of Christ’s Second Advent—when Christ shall return to take all of His own to be with Him forever, where He will wipe away every tear and where we live forever with Him in the New Jerusalem (see Jeremiah 33:9; John 14:3; Revelation 21:1-4).

Let us guard against Christmas ever becoming a humbug—an imposter, something empty of meaning—but let’s make sure the rich meaning of Christ’s peace dwells richly in us!

[oconnormusicstudio]

2019 Christmas Countdown: I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day

2019 Christmas Countdown: I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day

    “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem “Christmas Bells” by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The song tells of the narrator’s despair, upon hearing Christmas bells, that “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men”. The carol concludes with the bells carrying renewed hope for peace among mankind.

This version is…

[guinevereslancelot]

the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, goodwill to men btw. if you even care

god is not dead nor doth he sleep btw. if you even care