I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

I first heard this song a few years ago when my friend Larry Lepard and I went to a Casting Crowns Christmas concert in Kentucky.  The entire trip was fun and the concert was really moving.  What hit me the most from the concert was this one song.  It’s become one of my favorite songs since hearing their version and I’ve had it planted firmly in my Christmas song rotation since then.  Read the words here and then I’ll discuss it further after:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

And the bells are ringing
(Peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing
(Peace on earth)

In my heart I hear them
(Peace on earth)
Peace on earth, goodwill 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, goodwill to men

But the bells are ringing
(Peace on earth)
Like a choir singing
(Peace on earth)

Does anybody hear them?
(Peace on earth)
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
(Peace on earth, peace on earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men

Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

And the bells, they're ringing
(Peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing
(Peace on earth)

And with our hearts we'll hear them
(Peace on earth)
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

Do you hear the bells, they're ringing?
(Peace on earth)
The life the angels singing
(Peace on earth)

Open up your heart and hear them
(Peace on earth)
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

Peace on earth, peace on earth
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

To me this is one of the most powerful Christmas songs I’ll hear during the Christmas season.  I’m sure you could pull multiple different parts from this song, but for me I focus on the bells and their ringing, just like a choir singing.  If there is any time of the year that people are more open to the Gospel it’s now, especially a day like today.  The bells of the Gospel are always ringing, but there is a good chance that some may be hearing them now for the first time.  God is finding a way to get the lost to hear Him, just as He always does.  But there are people now hearing those bells and responding!

If that doesn’t get you excited as a Christian, then I don’t know what will.  God is ringing those bells and trying to get others to follow Him.  He is seeking that Peace on earth!  I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of that!  And as you continue with your Christmas festivities and hear this song, I pray that you hear the words and that they affect your life.  I know they do mine every time I hear them.