From Ted:

I don't know that I've ever posted on this, but tonight I wanted to share my heart a bit. 

I've fallen in love with Jars of Clay's recording of "I heard the bells on Christmas Day." I've never really cared for the song, but I love their version, and it's made me pay attention to the lyrics. Here they are:

"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 has 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 does he sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

Of 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 chance sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

The words ring out to me. The hope inspired by Christ's birth, the message we've continued to spread and let down, hypocrites as we are, and yet God continues to rain down His loving mercies. I love the progression of the verses. I feel the promise; the despair resonates within me as I consider how I perceive Christianity and my own complicity; and yet I feel inspired by the hope of something better, of God's love, that in 2000 years of success and failure He continues His involvement with our imperfection. "A voice, a chime, a chance sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men." The whisper of His love beckons still, wraps us in its warmth, and pushes us forward to serve, to make the world a better place, one loving act at a time. At such a time when despair looms, and I feel like "bow[ing] my head," then "pealed the bells more loud and deep" within me, reminding me that "God is not dead, nor does He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail," and I raise my head, in just hopefulness of His promises, "of peace on earth, good will to men."

A few weeks ago, Dana and I drove back to Harrisonburg down a pitch-black road. And yet, I could see a lone house, perched on a hill, shining brightly in the absence of any other light besides my headlights. It reminds me that I am to be that house in my corner of the world, just as this song is a light for me now. The light does not coerce, force, judge, nor place expectations (even of conversion), but simply shines to provide, guide, aid in our endeavors. It serves, protects, perseveres, inspires hope, and casts out the hopelessness and despair of the darkness. Love finds us and helps us find ourselves, and pushes us ever more toward "peace on earth, good will to men."

Merry Christmas.