The Weekly Encourager - December 22, 2012 - Ring the Bells

It's been a tough year. I didn't realize how tough until I looked back through my personal calendar in preparation for writing the Christmas letter. The year began with the loss of my beloved father-in-law, and more deaths followed with each season. It was a year of patience-building as we tried to trust God in each new trial. It seems that our bodies, our house, our cars, and our businesses all have reached middle age at once and all need major upgrades. The flooded basement from the derecho and Hurricane Sandy didn't help. Even our church has new challenges. To top it off (or bottom it out), the recent unexplained shooting of so many young children and their teachers at an elementary school only adds to the sadness. There is no peace on earth and there will be no Christmas letter from me this year. I ended up sending out a photo card of a happy moment from our vacation.

How do we go on? What is the answer? There is no answer here in this life, on this earth. This world is a place of destruction, deterioration, and death. The only answer is Christ, who came to bring light in darkness, comfort in sorrow, peace in conflict, hope in despair. So we must set our minds on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God the Father. We must ring the bells and announce His coming, and remember to trust Him, thank Him, and praise Him in all things. Job said, “Though He slay me, I will yet praise Him.”

This week I heard a new version of an old song we've sung every Christmas for years. The modern tune made the words new again. I'd like to share this classic poem here. May it remind you, as it did me, of why we rejoice at Christmas. The Great God of the Heavens sent His Son to earth, and the world revolved from night to day.

Merry Christmas,

j

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.

- by Henry W. Longfellow (1807-1882)