3rd Sunday of Advent, Morning Worship
Sermon Series: Boundless
Sermon: Boundless Peace
Accompanying Scripture: Philippians 4: 4-7

Boundless Peace

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! ¹

This is a poem entitled “Christmas Bells” written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and it’s a particularly long poem. Not all of the stanzas made it into the song that we know so well. He wrote it in 1863, during a time when our nation was in the midst of a civil war. Our nation had imploded upon itself.

In the poem, Mr. Longfellow talks about “thundering cannons from the south” and “households torn asunder.” We feel his desolation when we arrive at the sixth stanza.He says:

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!” ²

The Philippian church was not without its own set of struggles, yet Paul says “Rejoice. Rejoice always.” I wonder what he meant by that because they were having struggles.

Longfellow discusses the struggles of the Civil War when a mother and a father sent their sons off to the North and the South to fight. Some of them didn’t come home, and today, we have our own set of issues. Yet, Paul continues to say, “Rejoice.” Peace comes not from the outside. It comes from the heart. I think that’s what Paul was trying to tell the Philippians. Peace from the heart is what helps us rejoice. I don’t mean that syrupy I’m-going-to-smile-no-matter-what-happens type of grin. No. Real joy comes from inside you.

What brings you peace? For me, there’s nothing like a walk in nature. Or a gentle snowfall or a spring day. How about a hug, a smile, or a word of affirmation? What brings peace into your heart? What nudges you and speaks to your heart, your mind, and your soul? A phone call from a friend brings you joy, and suddenly, there’s a mustard seed of peace planted in your heart.

Daffodils bloom in the snow, and another mustard seed is planted.

The musical offerings during worship this morning. They bring us joy. There’s something about music that speaks an international language.

In this season, we gaze into a feeding trough and see a vulnerable child who will lead us into something new and different. We find peace in our souls; what we do with it is send it out. Peace on Earth doesn’t come to us. It is a way of life, and we bring peace into the world.

I’d like to try something a little different. Let’s reread our scripture passage backward and see if it speaks to you differently.

“May the peace of God which passes all understanding guard [stand sentry] over your hearts your and your minds in Christ Jesus. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Rejoice in the Lord always again, I will say rejoice.”

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.”

May peace be found within your heart, your mind, and your soul this advent.

All glory and honor be to God. Amen.

¹ https://poets.org/poem/christmas-bells
² Ibid