Christmas Countdown: #9

#9 on my countdown list is I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns. It's nothing like the original. This version is beautiful. It's haunting and describes reality. It describes a reality that we all live in, where God is mocked and often we are left asking "Where are you?" as we yearn for something more than what we see when we turn on the t.v.

The original version was written in the 1800's as a poem during the civil war. It talks about hope for peace between all men. The Casting Crowns version has similar lyrics, but the actual score is different than the first time it was set to music.

The 2nd and 3rd versus weigh heavy on my heart in light of the 2, yes, 2 tragedies that happened in schools this week. The first was in China, where 22 school children were attacked with a knife. The second is the attack in Connecticut which killed 20 kindergarten students.

This song by Casting Crowns sings about peace on earth, which is what so many religious Christmas songs sing about. But, where is this peace?

2nd verse:
And in despair I bow my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

But there is hope. Hope that we can all be saved from this crazy nonsense. Hope via Jesus Christ. A hope that  someday all things will be restored to what they ought to be. Without this hope, I can't imagine being stuck in verse 2. What a low and depressing state to stumble through life in. I know that place all to well. But luckily verse 3 comes, and God reminds us that this is not forever as we are in the already but not quite there yet stage in the history of redemption. Jesus has won the war, but the battle continues on.

Just as in WWII. It's like the difference between D-day and VE day. Between those two dates, battles continues on. Lives were won and lost. The casualties continued, though the outcome was already known. THIS is where we live now. But, again, there is hope.

3rd verse:
Then rang 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, goodwill to men

I'm guessing many haven't heard this version. With lyrics in hand (or on screen) give it a listen. Powerful lyrics indeed to help make sense of a messed up world. Here's to hope.