December 4th

It Came upon the Midnight Clear

• Lyrics

  It came upon the midnight clear,
  That glorious song of old,
  From angels bending near the earth,
  To touch their harps of gold:
  "Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,
  From heaven's all-gracious King."
  The world in solemn stillness lay,
  To hear the angels sing. 

  Yet with the woes of sin and strife
  The world has suffered long;
  Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
  Two thousand years of wrong;
  And man, at war with man, hears not
  The love-song which they bring;
  O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
  And hear the angels sing.

  And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
  Whose forms are bending low,
  Who toil along the climbing way
  With painful steps and slow,
  Look now! for glad and golden hours
  come swiftly on the wing.
  O rest beside the weary road,
  And hear the angels sing!

  For lo!, the days are hastening on,
  By prophet bards foretold,
  When with the ever-circling years
  Comes round the age of gold
  When peace shall over all the earth
  Its ancient splendors fling,
  And the whole world give back the song
  Which now the angels sing.

Scripture

“Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

— John 16:32-33 (CSB)

Other Scripture reading:

Isaiah 26:1-12

Discussion Questions

1. What are some “noises” in your life that distract you from the peace God promised?

2. How have you experienced the peace that God’s saving grace has brought?

3. What are some steps you can take to promote peace and goodwill in your community of influence?