Peace in my heart

This Christmas season I've been struggling with my Christmas spirit, for various reasons, the most important one being the loss of a dear family member earlier this year. This will be our first Christmas without her. It also turned out because of job commitments that it's the first year that we aren't able to visit our extended family for either Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years, so I'm feeling a bit sad and isolated. 

But while this year isn't standing out as one of the especially "fun" Christmases, I've just been reminded (via this wonderful Christmas song by Casting Crowns... see the lyrics below)  that one of the even more important parts of Christmas than "fun and giving" is that Christmas is about the hope for "peace on Earth."

Mary and Joseph probably felt very isolated, once upon time this time of year, too. It's very likely that they couldn't find "room at the inn" because they were late arriving; more likely no one wanted them because of the scandal surrounding Mary's pre-marriage pregnancy. There were no decorations, there was no family gathering and games and a fancy dinner and presents to open (the wise men probaly didn't arrive with their gifts that first night).

But there was a baby born, and a star shining in the sky, and angels proclaiming the great news of hope for peace on Earth.

These lyrics put that peace in my heart for this Christmas. Peace and blessings to you, too, whoever reads this!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, lyrics adapted by Casting Crowns:

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And mild and sweet their songs repeat

Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth)

Like a choir they're singing (Peace on Earth)

In my heart I hear them

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

But the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth)

Like a choir singing (Peace on Earth)

Does anybody hear them?

Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (Peace on Earth, peace on Earth)

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men

Then 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 the bells they're ringing (Peace on Earth)

Like a choir they're singing (Peace on Earth)

And with our hearts we'll hear them

Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they're ringing? (Peace on Earth)

The life the angels singing (Peace on Earth)

Open up your heart and hear them (Peace on Earth)

Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth

Peace on earth, Good will to men