We long for peace. This time of year more than ever, we want peace. I came across a book recently with a chapter about the song “Do You Hear What I Hear?” The song is a plea for peace.
Noel Regney is the artist who wrote it during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. Noel had lived in France and served in WWII. He hated war and wanted to see peace. His wife, who wrote the music, said they feared a nuclear war at that time and everyone was praying and hoping for peace.
One night when Regney was coming home he was troubled about the possibility of more war and saw two mothers pushing their babies in strollers. He said in that moment he wanted war out of his mind so he began writing the words to the song. What came out was a story about Peace coming to earth on the first Christmas night.
Regney has said his favorite line is “Pray for peace, people everywhere!” I love the song and I love the story of how it came about. He wanted peace and by the end of the song he realizes it can only come in one way:
The child, the child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
That was in 1962 and I don’t believe much has changed. We still pray for peace. We still pray for peace for people everywhere. I think a lot of people are looking for peace in the ending of war, poverty, and hate crime. Circumstances on earth will undoubtedly lack peace, but God has a solution to our desire for peace. He sent His son, Prince of Peace, to be the Savior of the world.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…
-Isaiah 9:6-7
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
-Luke 2:14
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
-1 John 4:14
I am in awe of those facts. In Him we have peace and there will be no end. No end to peace. Peace that is forever. If we believe those words, if we believe His promises, peace is inevitable in our eternal future. We are promised peace when we believe in Him and rest in His faithfulness.
That baby boy that Noel Regney was writing about is the Light promised to us.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
-John 1:9
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
-John 8:12
We want peace. He gives peace. And of His peace there is no end.
“Truly He taught us to love one another. His law is love and His gospel is peace.”
Rhonda N. Smith 