Peace on Earth

The Christmas hymn, I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, was adapted from a poem (Christmas Bells) written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas in 1863.  It was a time of great personal difficulty for Longfellow, who was mourning the death of his wife and whose son had been seriously wounded in the Civil War.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

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.

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'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.

From: Baptist Hymnal, 1991

https://hymnary.org/text/i_heard_the_bells_on_christmas_day

In today’s world, Russia is massing troops on its border with Ukraine and China is sending its warplanes into Taiwan’s airspace almost daily.  Both countries believe that their legitimate national interests support their actions.

The United States is not bound by treaty to defend Taiwan, but our position since 1948 has been that the Taiwanese people have the right to self-determination, and our stance has been to support them.  The U.S. has considered it to be in our national interest to resist the People’s Republic of China if they use force to extend their control over Taiwan.

In 1994 the United States, Great Britain, and the Russian Federation gave “security assurances” to Ukraine in exchange for the dismantling of her nuclear weapons.  Now, the Ukrainians have no nukes and very little security.  It is unclear whether the agreement obligates America to defend Ukraine militarily.  However, since 1994, the United States has given assurances that it would help Ukraine should Russia invade her.  We have provided Ukraine with material and financial aid, so far.

Not to be outdone, the Iranians continue to fuel terrorism around the world and especially in the Middle East.  They are enriching fissionable material at an alarming speed, and it is clear that they intend to possess deliverable nuclear weapons in the near future.

When Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds in the hills near Bethlehem: 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14 NIV)

 https://biblehub.com/niv/luke/2.htm

The song is correct, God is not dead or asleep.  He is in control.  If we turn to Him, repent of our sins, humble ourselves and pray, He will heal our land. (2Chronicles 7:14)

Are we people that a holy God can look upon with favor?  Only if He sees the righteousness of Christ in the place of our sin.  Ask Jesus to be your savior, and then follow Him.  Pray for peace.