We began this Christmas season on a beautiful note. Literally. The Village Church of Gurnee had their annual Christmas concert. As music filled the sanctuary, we settled in to listen and reflect. Our minds quieted and we stilled.
Or, that would have been the dream. The reality was our son was on crutches and needed to get up and down a couple dozen times through the performances knocking into the chairs in front of him. Another son had a terrific bloody nose which required husband and child to climb over the child on crutches who actually was sitting down at that moment. The third son decided he was exhausted and sought to remind me of this fact. every. moment. he. could. Our daughter sat with a friend in front of us. Joshua and I laughed as we watched her sing all the songs, dance in her chair and just be carefree.
It did not allow for much personal reflection on the season or the Christ child. Since my eyes spent most of the time rolled to the back of my head, and my hand to my forehead in a slap, I also knew our Bruinius family performance for the new Pastor and his wife who I chose to sit next to could not have gone unnoticed.
You know, this is my life. It’s crazy. It’s not dull. It’s all ours. I wouldn’t trade it for all the world. (sidenote)
Anyway, a song was played that penetrated the craziness of the blender moments, I Heard The Bells On Christmas Eve. I’m sorry to say I’ve never really paid much attention to this song. Never knew it’s history. Never knew the lyrics. Yet, on this night, the song spoke to me. Allow me to share some of the lyrics with you.
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.”
Take a moment and watch this beautiful video on the history of this carol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXfzp296zhA
So, as you begin your Sunday, as you head out to church this morning to worship the God who is not dead. Nor does He sleep. He is our peace.
Enjoy Casting Crown’s version:
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