The Themes of Christmas - Peace

Yesterday, I wrote about one of my favorite theme's of Christmas: Giving. This is something that we spend a lot of time talking about at our house, especially this time of year. Even as I type this blog post, my 5-year old is waking around the house putting toys into a box that he wants to give kids who do not have toys. Giving is a beautiful part of Christmas.

Another theme of Christmas is peace. Jesus was called the Prince of Peace and the Savior was to come and bring peace on Earth. And that is what He did. But many might look around this world of ours and say that there is no peace on Earth. This world is filed with wars and conflict, famine and disease. But Jesus did not come, necessarily, to bring peace on Earth, but rather He came to be peace on Earth. The peace that Jesus is will long-last any war, famine, or disease. 

When I think about peace on Earth, I think about the carol, "The Bells on Christmas Day". Originally written as a poem, by Henry W Longfellow during the Civil War, it speaks to the struggle of mankind and the joy of the sound of bells ringing amidst this struggle. A soldier in the war on Christmas morning, he hears bells ringing. For a moment, he is taken back to the memories of his youth at Christmas, until he remembers that he is at war. As the song 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.” But then as he listens, he remembers, "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.” May we always remember that at Christmas, we are celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace. 

Here is the best version of this song that I know. It is sung by my friend Mark Hall and his band Casting Crowns. I have already listened to this song dozens of times this season. May it be a reminder of peace on Earth and good will to men.