It Came upon a Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heavens all-gracious King.” The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long, beneath the angel strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong; And man at war with man, hears not the love song which they bring: O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.
All ye beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.
For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet bards foretold, when the ever circling years comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world give back the song which now the angels sing.
– Edmund Sears
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of 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
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – Jesus (John 14:27)
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Apostle Paul (Philippians 4:7)
The Christmas story reveals to us that God is the source of peace. He is the foundation of peace for every individual and the world as a whole. He even brings peace into the turmoil of this world around us. Jesus said that this peace is not the peace that the world gives, which is always temporary. This peace that comes through Christmas…through a relationship with Jesus…is a peace that changes us to the core. It comes because of right relationship and it is not affected by circumstances but, rather determines how we approach all circumstances!
This has always been a characteristic of our God. Bringing peace into our relationship with God and our relationships with others. A healing that comes through repentance and forgiveness which is made possible through God and authored by Him.
The Christmas story reminds us that this supernatural peace is available to all of us! So we can join the angel chorus praising God singing, “Peace on earth!”