Uplook - December 7, 2024
Beloved Saints,
Advent Greetings to each of you as we move with anticipation toward our celebration of the Birth of Jesus. I never tire of preaching the hopeful message which this season highlights. Like all of God’s Word…it is inspired and you can read it over and over sometimes reminding yourself of it’s truth and other times gaining a new glimpse of just how amazing the story really is. I mentioned on Wednesday evening in Bible Study how I love that many of our carols have endured for hundreds and even over a thousand years. They find their origin in a variety of languages and cultures all who received the “Good news of great joy” that a Savior was born. These carols come from across the world but also come from within our own country. Perhaps one of my favorite American carols drew its lyrics from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow entitled “Christmas Bells”.
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!
And 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!
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!
Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn The households born 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."
The lyrics were written on December 25, 1863 during one of the darkest times in US history, the Civil War. He had lost his wife only 2 ½ years prior in a tragic fire leaving him with 5 children. The eldest had just returned home from the war, wounded with the potential of paralysis. He heard Christmas bells ringing in Cambridge where he lived and the declaration of “peace on earth, good will to men”. The lyrics show the angst and dissonance of his heart. Within a decade the poem was set to music and now sung regularly.
During this season, many including some of those who will read this, find themselves with a similar dissonance. Circumstances, loss, pain, and grief sometimes seem to cloud the joy of the season. But may we by God’s grace…take heart that God is not dead or asleep and He will have the final word…which will be peace. The Christmas Bells still ring out the news that peace is available even today. May you each experience it is our sincere prayer.
Housekeeping Notes:
Choir – There will be choir practice at 3:15 tomorrow afternoon.
Soup and Study - This Wednesday evening will be our monthly Soup and Study. Please try to arrive by 6:45 for some delicious soup, bread, and a simple dessert along with Bible Study.
Blessings,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Advent Greetings to each of you as we move with anticipation toward our celebration of the Birth of Jesus. I never tire of preaching the hopeful message which this season highlights. Like all of God’s Word…it is inspired and you can read it over and over sometimes reminding yourself of it’s truth and other times gaining a new glimpse of just how amazing the story really is. I mentioned on Wednesday evening in Bible Study how I love that many of our carols have endured for hundreds and even over a thousand years. They find their origin in a variety of languages and cultures all who received the “Good news of great joy” that a Savior was born. These carols come from across the world but also come from within our own country. Perhaps one of my favorite American carols drew its lyrics from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow entitled “Christmas Bells”.
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!
And 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!
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!
Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn The households born 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."
The lyrics were written on December 25, 1863 during one of the darkest times in US history, the Civil War. He had lost his wife only 2 ½ years prior in a tragic fire leaving him with 5 children. The eldest had just returned home from the war, wounded with the potential of paralysis. He heard Christmas bells ringing in Cambridge where he lived and the declaration of “peace on earth, good will to men”. The lyrics show the angst and dissonance of his heart. Within a decade the poem was set to music and now sung regularly.
During this season, many including some of those who will read this, find themselves with a similar dissonance. Circumstances, loss, pain, and grief sometimes seem to cloud the joy of the season. But may we by God’s grace…take heart that God is not dead or asleep and He will have the final word…which will be peace. The Christmas Bells still ring out the news that peace is available even today. May you each experience it is our sincere prayer.
Housekeeping Notes:
Choir – There will be choir practice at 3:15 tomorrow afternoon.
Soup and Study - This Wednesday evening will be our monthly Soup and Study. Please try to arrive by 6:45 for some delicious soup, bread, and a simple dessert along with Bible Study.
Blessings,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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