Peace on earth

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

~ words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1864

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 tho't how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th' 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.

I have been reflecting on this Christmas carol over the past few days.  Last week Tuesday, the land issues I wrote about previously escalated to involve property damage, violence, and threats against some of our national workers.  (We are all safe and doing well.)  The hospital has been closed for a week while administrators negotiate with the community to restore peace.

We just received word that we will be re-opening tomorrow, although there is still much work that needs to be done.

Don't despair.  God is not dead.  He isn't non-existent.  He doesn't sleep.  He is not far away.  In fact, this very week we celebrate that He came, He cares, and He loves us!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

~ Isaiah 9:6

Thank you for remembering us in your prayers during this time.  Please pray for our administrators and the community leaders.  Pray for the rascals.  And pray for peace.