“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” (Luke 2:13-14)

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” remains one of my favorite Christmas songs.  It holds no nostalgia for me though because I was well into adulthood before I met this song.  It was written in America at a time when our country was being torn apart by hatred.  It seemed to the poet that the message of peace brought by Christ’s birth was mocked by the strong hatred which marched through the land.  In our day hatred again seems to be winning the day.  Never in human history have we been more divided.   Hate is like brazen harlot in the face of mankind mocking the message of peace.  But “God is not dead nor doth he sleep.  The wrong shall fail, the right prevail.  With peace on earth, good will to man.”  The days of hate are numbered.  The peace of Christ will win the day.  First his peace must reign in the heart of man before it can reign in the world that we live in.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they’re singing
In my heart I hear them
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

But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang 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

Then 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

And the bells they’re ringing
Like a choir they’re singing
And with our hearts we’ll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they’re ringing?
The like the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men