Peace On Earth...the darkest day

Winter solstice

The darkest it will ever get.

The shortest day, the longest night.

It doesn’t get any darker than this…

                                                                                                                                          

She read to grandpa, beside his bed. He was too weak to tell her no; to curse and say, “That book’s just for child’s play.” 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Outside, it was dark and cold.

The night and the lines, were long.

Lines to buy presents

And lines to soup kitchens

There was an old man swinging the Salvationist’s bell

But no one listened. 

The bucket was empty.

 The little girls' mom, had gone for a walk. Her daughter wouldn't leave grandpa's side. "Mom, there's still hope, as long as he's alive"

Forlorn words drifted from the church down the road

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!"

She didn’t have the heart to tell her, that Grandpa’s heart was too hard. He was beyond hope. She’d prayed for him since she was a child. Since her mom had died. She couldn’t count how many times she’d asked him to pray. Even a simple prayer before they’d eat; or before she’d go to sleep. He’d always just laugh, or curse. But never comply. He either didn’t believe or was too mad at God, because mom had died—left him to raise a girl on his own. Some folks are just too far gone…sad to say, he was one of them.

 With heavy heart, and eyes all wet

She dropped her last dime, in the red bucket

The old man raised a toothless grin,

“Peace on earth, good will to men”

 The little girl continued to read:

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them” .

The song echoed strong from down the street

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.

Grandpa raised an eyebrow and pulled in a deep breath...

 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

She looked up, afraid of what he might say, but smiled just the same.

The corners of Grandpa's mouth curved up. Something, the little girl had never seen before.

She made a nervous giggle, and a tear leaked out when she said, "I love you Grandpa."

His chin started to quiver as his daughter walked in, so did hers, when she heard the last words he ever said, "Will you pray with me?" 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Even on our darkest day, there is hope…the Light is coming.

But the path of the just is like the shining sun,

That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. (Prov. 4:18)

Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you. (Isaiah 60)

(Credit: The song that echoed in the street is from the Christmas Carol  "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" based on the 1863 poem "Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.)