God of Hope

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867)

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.

I 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.

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."

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!

“And in despair…” It’s easy to lose hope when in despair. Longfellow penned these words during the Civil War; he had just received news of his son being injured in battle. Longfellow was no stranger to despair having lost his wife just two years prior.

God is the God of hope.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

God is the God of hope yesterday, today, and tomorrow. God is the God of hope in all situations.

Longfellow goes on to say, “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth he sleep…”

God is not dead today either, nor is he sleeping. Sometimes we have to adjust the tilt of our head to more clearly hear the bells. They are still extolling peace on earth and God’s goodness.

God is God in all situations – even ALS. He’s closer than ever. The light in my mom’s eyes that I so often write about? God. His love. He holds us close.

May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace this Christmas season as you trust in Him. May the God of hope shine his face on you and yours and reveal Himself to you as the God of hope. May we all hear the bells on Christmas Day.