Friday, December 21, 2012

My New Favorite Christmas Song


July 20, 2012 was turning out to be a great day for me! At around 3 am I was walking out to my car after just watching one of my favorite movies for the first time. I got to bed at about 3:30, and had to be up at 7:00 am, but I did not care one bit! At about 8:00 I was on my way to work, and I heard the radio host talking about a shooting at Batman. At first I thought they were just talking about a scene in the movie, but when I got to the office and check my email, I discovered that it was something much worse. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, 12 people were killed and another 58 were injured! What is this world coming too? How does something like this happen?

As months went by the sting of this terrifying event seemed to diminish some what and the world seemed to be moving on. But then last week the world was turned upside down once again. This time I was sitting in my office at work, when I heard some people in the office next to me talking about how over 20 children had been shot in an elementary school. My heart sank, and I the feeling of sorrow, confusion, frustration, hate, and anger came back to me again. I kept asking myself how something like this happens. This time of year is supposed to be a time of joy and peace on earth, a time when people go out of their way to help others, and a time of giving, not taking. I felt guilty that in a few weeks I would be giving and receiving gifts with my family, when so many families had just had their children taken from them. 

I did what I’m sure a lot of people did, I began to question God, and why he would let something like this happen. Why would a God that is so loving allow his sweet innocent children to leave the world in such an awful way? Why do these shooting keep happening? Why would he allow these families to suffer so much? After a few minutes of bouncing these dismal thoughts through my head I was reminded of Christmas song. A song that I didn't even really know existed until a few years ago. I immediately grabbed my phone, and looked up the lyrics. The words of this beautiful song pierced my heart, and I instantly felt a great peace and calming feeling come over me. My mind was calm, and I knew that God was still there, and that He is still our loving Heavenly Father. I once again understood why these things happen, and how "all things are done in wisdom of him who knoweth all things". (2 Nephi 2:24) 

The song I was reminded of was “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” and here are the profound and inspiring 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.

I 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.

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."

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!


Through this experience, and these horrific tragedies, I was once again reminded that bad things are going to happen, and sometimes even things that seem unbearable will happen to us in our lives. But no matter how bad things get, good will always overcome evil. I love the line in this song “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail”. Good will always win! I was also reminded that God is real, and he is aware of us. He loves us so much that he gives us our agency, and promises not to get in the way, but He does help and comfort us. He doesn't leave us alone. Jesus Christ was born and came into the world to help us in times of need such as these. 

Christmas is a wonderful time to remember the good things in life, and even though there is so much bad going in the world, there is also so much good going on! Since these experiences I have been trying to find the good, and I believe if we all do this our world can "revolve from night to day", and we can experience the peace and joy our Father in Heaven wants to us to experience. Merry Christmas!