Christmas by Sandra McCrackenSample

“Ring The Bells”

“Peace, peace, peace on earth,

Goodwill to all.

Peace, peace, peace on earth

Giving us hope, helping us carry on.”

In a way, Christmas time is the best excuse to preach the good news in public. Psalm 72 is a Christmas prayer. But really, all the Psalms are Christmas prayers. Most of the best Johnny Cash songs are too. I remember listening to Johnny Cash’s Christmas record on repeat when I was a child. 

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play 

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth goodwill to men.

I thought how as the day had come

The belfries of all Christendom 

Had rolled along unbroken song

Of peace on earth goodwill to men.

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said 

For hate is strong that mocks the song

Of peace on earth goodwill to men.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doubt he sleeps 

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth goodwill to men.”  

We sing ourselves forward, into the reality of Christmas. We ring the bells to accompany the song, the lament, the petition that the incarnation of God who has come to dwell with us is with us still, and we appeal to him for every grace. There’s more than just sugar and shiny bows in this season. The holidays are a very difficult time of year for so many people. It is there, in the broken places, we find that hope comes to bring light. In the dim light of a manger, in the chapel where we gather to sing, He is with us. He is with us.

Prayer: 

O gracious Light, pure brightness of the ever living Father in heaven.

O Jesus, Christ, holy and blessed.

Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we ask for your illumination. 

We give you praise, O God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

(Adapted from Phos hilaron)