December 9th

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

• Lyrics

  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! 

  And thought how, as the day had come,
  The belfries of all Christendom
  Had rolled along
  The unbroken song
  Of 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!

  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.”

Scripture

“About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:1-7 (CSB)

Other Scripture reading:

Psalm 21:1-7, Ephesians 6:10-20, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

Discussion Questions

1. What is the source of our conflict?

2. Why can we find hope in what the true enemy is?

3. Is there a reconciliation you need to seek today? What steps can you take toward it?