Dear God, what would we do with peace? What if? What if there were all of a sudden peace on the entire earth? Not only would wars cease, but cartel violence, theft, and murder would cease as well. No more domestic violence. No more bullying in school. Just good will between us all. What would that look like? I simply cannot imagine because we are all so sinful. I am so sinful. While we are here in our sin, how can there be peace on earth and good will toward men?

My wife talked to me about this poem/song this morning. Henry Longfellow wrote “I Heart The Bells On Christmas Day” in 1863. Right about the time Abraham Lincoln was proclaiming the first national day of Thanksgiving. In the midst of terrible fighting and suffering. Suffering that came from our country’s original sin: slavery and racism (unless you count treatment of Native Americans as our original sin. Maybe we have two).

I’ll admit I’ve had Longfellow’s thoughts before. When the angels appeared to the shepherds in Luke 2:14 (KJV) and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” I wonder exactly what they meant. Maybe it wasn’t about peace between us, but peace and good will now being available from you to us.

Verse 3 is so sorrowful but powerful: “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 then the next verse brings it back. Your response to Longfellow expressed through the ringing bells: “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.‘”

I’m remind of another song as I close this prayer: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.” But Jesus was pretty clear that, on this side of heaven, there will be a break in our peace with each other. He said that we would divide over him. So to some extent, I guess there is only so much I can do. But let me leave no stone unturned as I try to be one of your ambassadors on earth.

I pray all of this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen