PEACE THAT OVERWHELMS DESPAIR

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

Yesterday’s Blog touched upon the themes of Advent for 2015. One of the themes is PEACE. It was one of the statements of the Angels when they appeared to the Shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). It was a theme about which Peter wrote to the Christians of his generation as they were being persecuted and scattered, “We will love life and see good days if we turn from evil and do good and if we seek peace, for the Lord watches over the righteous and hears their prayers” (I Peter 3:10-12). Peace is that which Jesus promised His disciples who would face all kinds of uncertainty and challenge, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Similarly, in John 16:33 Jesus reiterated His all-sufficient peace amid the turmoil of life when He said: “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” 

One of the older Christmas poems/carols is: “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.” It begins:

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!

As these words are sung, we forget that they were written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1864. The American Civil War was a time of great human suffering and loss for both sides of that battle. In his own life, Longfellow had experienced tragedy. The American Civil War began on April 10, 1861. In an unrelated accident on July 10, 1861, Fanny Longfellow (his wife) was fatally burned in an accident in the library of Craigie House. At the first Christmas after her death, the personal journal of Henry W. Longfellow contains the heart-rending words: “How inexpressibly sad are all holidays…I can make no record of these days. Better leave them wrapped in silence. Perhaps someday God will give me peace." Longfellow's journal entry for December 25th 1862 reads: "A merry Christmas say the children, but that is no more for me." Tragedy would occur once more in his life. His biography contains this entry: “Almost a year later, Longfellow received word that his oldest son Charles, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, had been severely wounded (not fatally) with a bullet passing under his shoulder blades and taking off one of the spinal processes. The Christmas of 1863 was silent in his journal.”

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.

How does one deal with the unexpected tragedies of life. How can one overcome the grief and despair of such moments? Longfellow included in his poem/Carol these words:

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.

What is it that brings the Peace of which the Angels sang? Is it viable for those who experience tragedy, sorrow and grief? The words of Colossians 1:19-20 are applicable for all who may pass through the valley of the shadow of death: “For God was pleased to have all His fullness to dwell in Him (Jesus Christ), and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.” Embrace the cross and find His peace. Consider these things with me.