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December 16, 2019
“I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY”
by: Pat Sitton

Song link: http://bit.ly/35s9uun

Isaiah 9:6

I am a “war baby.”  I was born in 1943 while World War II was coming to an end.  This was the “war to end all wars,” or so they thought.  Unfortunately, in my lifetime I have seen our country involved in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the War in Iraq, the War in Afghanistan.  Beside these there have been war skirmishes all over the African continent and constant threats from North Korea to keep everyone anxious.

I chose the Christmas song, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” which lauds “peace on earth” in every stanza.  So, why does peace elude us at every turn?  The news of peace on earth and good will was first heard from the lips of angels, hovering in the heavens above the shepherds outside Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth.  Isaiah says this child will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

The third verse of this hymn makes this bold statement:  “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.’”  In our world today, hate is the strongest emotion we see on display in many corners of our world.  What can we do to bring some measure of peace to our own family, our own community, our own little world?  Perhaps we need to renew our faith and trust in the Prince of Peace who lives in our hearts and pray that he will give us the strength we need to make a difference in the lives around us.

The last stanza says in answer to the hatred and mockery, “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.’”  I believe God can give us peace, but I also believe I need to do my part in praying and living that into being.  Another hymn says, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

Reflection
Do you want peace in your life enough to invest yourself in making peace with someone in your family, your church, your workplace this Christmas season?
 
Prayer
Precious Father, Prince of Peace, thank you for coming to this earth to begin the peace process. 
 
Help us to follow your leading in bringing peace to our troubled world.
Pat Sitton is a wife, a mother and grandmother, and a Sunday School teacher, who has been at Calvary for 8 years since retiring to Waco with her husband Phillip.  She loves jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, Baylor sports, and travelling, especially to Europe.
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