A Christmas Message
“I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play; and wild and sweet the words repeat, of peace of earth, good will to men.”
Christmas music. This time of year, it’s everywhere—playing in the stores and restaurants, and even broadcasting 24/7 on the radio. There’s something uplifting, hopeful, and cheerful about it. Christ has come! Good tidings of great joy to all people! Peace on earth, good will to all men!
But to some, the music of Christmas can sound like so much noise, a sounding gong or a clanging symbol. What about my dying brother-in-law or my anger-filled home? What about my struggling church?
What about Haitians whose capitol city has seen street-filled riots this year? What about Bolivian pastors who have been threatened by political zealots? What about Albanians who have temporarily fled their homes because of an earthquake and multiple aftershocks? Where is the peace on earth and good will for them?
“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 men.’”
Fortunately, the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow did not conclude his poem here. The story is incomplete. The stage has been set, but the Director—God Himself—has not yet signaled the final scene. Listen again to the message from the bells:
“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.’"
God is sovereign. Just as, in His plan and at the right time, a baby was born in Bethlehem, so in our lives and around the world, His glorious plan will be fulfilled in the end.
Thank you for partnering with the World Mission Department to spread this message of hope and true joy around the world. Merry Christmas!
