Tell the nations that love has won

Christine and I belong to a choir.  We have just held a number of Christmas concerts and we sang this carol among others. It starts with typical words about Christmas bells and “Peace on earth”.   The carol goes on to say:

“Tell the nations that love has won”

But then suddenly comes this verse:

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, goodwill to men”.

It is not easy to think of peace on earth when there is so much violence in the world. But the next verse says:

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, goodwill to men.

I am not blind or deaf to the problems in mankind but in spite of the violence, poverty and disease, I can see the hand of God working for good and peace in this world.

When God entered this world as a baby, the stage was set for love to triumph over hate, and for peace to triumph over violence, poverty and disease.  This process isn’t yet complete but faith gives us hope, and a case for optimism.

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep”

“Tell the nations that love has won”

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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

Till ringing, singing on it’s way
The world revolved from night to day.
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Ring the bells on Christmas
Ring them loud, ring them strong
Tell the nations that love has won
let them join our song

Ring the bells on Christmas
Ring them loud, ring them, ring them strong
Tell the nations that love has won,
Let them join our song.

Ring the bells on Christmas
Ring them out, ring them, ring them clear
May our tidings of joy resound,
So all the world can hear.

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, goodwill 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, goodwill to men.

Ring the bells on Christmas
Ring them, ring them loud and strong
Tell the nations that love has won
Let them join our song

Ring the bells on Christmas
Ring them out, ring them clear
May our tidings of joy resound
so all the world can hear
Ring the bells!

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