It was Christmas morning 1863 and the American Civil War was raging, people were dying by the thousands, and as Longfellow was grieving the tragic death of his beloved wife, he received the news that his son had been severely wounded in battle.

Maybe you’re facing grief, disappointments and uncertainty this season. What you wanted in life and what you received do not match. Maybe a loved one is fighting for their life, maybe you’ve recently lost a family member, maybe you’ve been watching the news and absorbing scenes of violence and hatred. You are fearful, anxious, even angry. While carols play over and over telling us to “have ourselves a merry little Christmas,” you may be wondering Where is the peace?

It was the first week of December 2019, and after several long, painful months of seeking answers for our daughter’s illness, we finally got a diagnosis. Stage 4 cancer.

It had already been a tough year – starting with me contracting a severe lung infection that drained my strength for three months, followed by an auto accident that left me injured and in debilitating pain. Two months later I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my job. And just as the holidays arrived, so did my daughter’s cancer diagnosis. It was more tears than cheers that Christmas. Where was the peace?

Maybe you feel the same this year? All the merriment has you feeling more jaded than jolly and seeing people laughing and celebrating reinforces your pain.

If this season is hard for you, I would like to encourage you to hold firm to the truth. The truth that God is real, has not abandoned you, still loves and cares about you, and always works everything for the good even when it looks like everything is falling apart. This truth was the only thing that carried me through one of the most painful seasons of my life. As I trusted God, he entered my despair with the reminder that in him, I will have peace.

As Longfellow sat in his own despair that Christmas season, he heard church bells ringing in the distance. It was a gentle reminder of the message of hope that comes from the miracle of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. And through this inspiration, Longfellow wrote:

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 does He sleep,
For Christ is here; His Spirit near
Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”

Jesus was a realist and told us that in this world we will have troubles, but he also told us that by trusting in him – the good times and bad – we will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace.

Have you been asking, “Where is the peace?” Take heart. God is still in control. He is still the Prince of Peace, and he has a mysterious way of turning tragedy into triumph. God holds it all together, and he’ll hold it together for you.

John 16:33 | I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (NLT)

Wanna pray?

God, we live in a fallen and broken world. When everything inside of us and every voice around us tells us to get mad, give up, respond with disbelief and hopelessness, help us to cling to you. As we enter this Christmas season, remind us that faith in you keeps us from losing hope and helps us resist fear. Remind us that you are still in control.