I’ve been putting intentional effort into really hearing and singing the lyrics of Christmas carols this year, in the hope of letting them minister to my heart and deepen the meaning of the season. Today, “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 (peace on earth)
Like a choir they’re singing (peace on earth)
In my heart I hear them (peace on earth)
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 (peace on earth)
Like a choir singing (peace on earth)
Does anybody hear them? (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth)
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 (peace on earth)
Like a choir they’re singing (peace on earth)
And with our hearts we’ll hear them (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Do you hear the bells they’re ringing? (peace on earth)
The life the angels singing (peace on earth)
Open up your heart and hear them (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men
That’s a song I never really paid much attention to. It would come on the radio and if I didn’t switch the station, I’d turn down the volume and wait for the next song to start. A couple of times it was sung in church; I’m fairly certain I used the opportunity at least once to step out and use the restroom. (I’m not particularly proud of that.)
Last year, though, I heard it with new ears. I read the lyrics and listened to its haunting melody and felt something in my heart swell and ache and sigh.
For me, peace can be hard to find.
For me, the dark things of the world are easier to focus on than the beautiful things.
For me, it’s far less work to let my mind dwell on the negative than it is to intentionally steer my mind toward the positive. So for me, it can be hard to hold on to the simple message of peace that Christmas brings.
The reality is that yes, the world is dark. Yes, things are a mess in many ways. Yes, it would be easy to believe that God was somehow asleep at the wheel, missing what we’re enduring down here. But friend, He is neither asleep nor aloof. He sees now and has always seen the despair of the world, and Christmas is His incredible response to it all.
He reached down and set a perfect Light in the middle of the darkness. And in so doing, He placed peace on earth and reminded us of His good will toward men.
He sees us and He loves us and He wants good things for us. That’s worth a celebration of bells and singing.
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