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.