One of my favorite Christmas hymns is from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Christmas Bells.”

Then from each black, accursed mouth 
The cannon thundered in the South, 
And with the sound 
The Carols drowned 

Of peace on earth, goodwill 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, goodwill 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, goodwill to men!” 

Longfellow wrote this poem for Christmas in 1863 and it reflects the heartbreak of the Civil War. However, it ends with resounding words of hope – the same hope that we desperately need to hear in our day and age. Even as we read the news headlines, may we hear the bells peel loud and deep. And may we hold fast to the Christmas hope that the day is coming when there will be peace on earth and goodwill to all.

Let us pray: We remember today, O God, that what you began on Christmas morning in Jesus, you will one day bring to completion. We long for the day when there will be no more war, no more poverty, no more broken relationships. We long for the day when you will wipe away every tear from our eyes and your peace will reign. Until that day, help us live deeply into your Christmas hope; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Not long ago, I was listening to a pastor of a mega-church talk about how when he was first starting his church, he thought to himself, if I can just get this church to 300 members, then, I’ll feel like I’ve made it. When the church reached three hundred, he thought to himself, “Well, when it gets to 1000, I’ll be good – I’ll be at peace.” The church reached 1000, and he thought – well, I’m not there yet. If it grows to 5,000, then I’m in the top tier.  But even at 10,000 members, he was deeply unhappy. There was no peace. He went on to say, “There was no peace – because that’s not where peace is found. True peace is found in Christ alone. I knew this up here in my head- but not in here in my heart.”

This story just makes me aware that there are so many voices out there that say loudly: You are not enough. You are an imposter. Or, you are a burden. Go and prove you are worth something… There are many voices that tell us the love, and healing and peace we are looking for are found out there somewhere. 

And really this is what leads every prodigal astray. I think about the people I know who have suffered greatly from addiction – trying hard to fill that void – to find that peace with alcohol or pain medication, or overwork, or money or, you name it…  even more subtle things – like the success. 

However, what that pastor said is true. Long ago Saint Augustine put it this way, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.”

Let us pray: Gracious God, we remember the words you spoke over the waters of Jesus’ baptism, “You are my beloved child. With you, I am well pleased.” We remember that these words are intended for us as well. Help us to accept your love. As our hearts rest in you, may we experience your peace anew. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today’s message was written by my friend Rev. Amy Camp.

 My favorite coffee mug was given to me by a good friend a few years ago on my birthday. It’s my favorite color purple and it has the words “blessings are everywhere” printed in white.

Just as the warm liquid helps to awaken me from slumber, the words on my mug help to awaken me to the many blessings that God gives me each and every day:

The sounds of birds singing, the hug of a loved one, the beauty of a new spring day, the unconditional love I receive from my dog, the opportunity to have lunch with a good friend…

My favorite mug also has a little chip on the rim and a light blue stain on the inside. I’m probably the only one who notices these imperfections, but they are important to me. I actually like the chip and the stain! You see, the chip reminds me each and every day that I don’t have to be perfect- God loves me just as I am…The stain reminds me of how much I need God’s amazing grace and steadfast love in my life. I cannot change the past. It is what it is. But with God’s help, I can change today!

Please pray with me: Holy God, open our eyes to the many blessings you put before us this very moment. Thank you that you love us just the way we are…even with our chips and stains. Help us to become who you created us to be! Amen.

I was really inspired by the story of Isaac Watts. When he was born, his father was in prison for his stand against the Church of England. Isaac himself was a sickly child who continued on to be a rather sickly adult. Apparently, his illness caused him to have an unsightly appearance. He was only 5 feet tall with almost transparent skin and a disproportionately oversized head. Some of his biographers believe this was the reason for Elizabeth Singer’s rejection of his marriage proposal. 

Of course, all of this took its toll on his personal life. In fact, at age 28 he began to suffer from a psychiatric illness that stayed with him for the rest of his life. 

In spite of all of this, Isaac Watts had a deep faith and unbridled spirit. And, he was one of the most prolific hymn writers of all time. Among many others, he wrote: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and O God Our Help in Ages Past. During the Christmas season, we often sing one of my favorites, Joy to the World. I leave you today with a few verses of this song as our closing prayer.

Let us pray:

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing… Amen.

Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

Because of the coming of Jesus Christ, Christmas is the good news that hope is real. Hope is always a faith possibility. In Hebrews 10:23 we read: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.” 

One day, very close to Christmas, a child was coming down the hall at church. He had in his hand a little ceramic tray that he had made for his mother. As he ran down the hall, he tripped and fell. The tray broke into several pieces. The child was devastated. He began to cry loudly and uncontrollably. People tried to comfort him with all kinds of advice: “It was just a tray.” “You can make another one.” “You can give your mother something else.” The child was inconsolable. Finally, his mother arrived on the scene. 

She immediately realized what had happened. Bending down beside her son and his broken gift, she said, “Well, now, let’s pick up the pieces and take it all home. We’ll put it together and see what we can make of it.” 

Isn’t that exactly what the Christmas message of hope is about? The world is broken into many fragments, as are our lives. God stoops down beside us. “Well, now,” God says, “Let me help you pick up the pieces. We’ll put it back together and see what we can make of it.” 

On a night long ago, God walked down the stairs of heaven with a tiny child in his arms. That child is a source of hope in human life. Friend of Dial Hope, be a sign of hope in a fragmented world. God has blessed you to be a blessing to others. 

Let us pray: Loving God, in this season of waiting and yearning, give us the grace to wait for your coming to the bottom of our toes, to the edges of our fingertips. Come and make all things new. Be born in us today and lead us to the light of your love. Help us, with your grace, to make this day a masterpiece. Through Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Amen.