Music moves my emotions in a way that nothing else can so Christmas music is especially important to me. Last Sunday we attended Bethel International UMC to listen to their cantata, “Morning Star.” The choir was a blend of the choirs from all the services and there was a 20 piece band accompanying. The cantata was wonderful. But I didn’t feel the pull of the music until the closing song of the worship service, “All Is Well.”
“All Is Well” was written by Michael W. Smith for his 1989 “Christmas” album. I think I bought the album, then the cassette tape, and now I have it from iTunes. If angels recorded a Christmas album, this is what it would sound like. You can listen to the album’s recording of “All Is Well” here.
All is well. All is well. Angels and men rejoice.For tonight darkness fell into the dawn of love’s light.
Sing Alle, Sing Alleluia!
All is well. All is well. Let there be peace on earth.
Christ is come. Go and tell that He is in the manger.
Sing Alle, Sing Alleluia!
Christ is come. Go and tell that He is in the manger.
Sing Alle, Sing Alleluia!
All is well. All is well. Lift up your voices and sing.
Born is now Emmanuel. Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia! Sing Alleluia! All is well!
Born is now Emmanuel. Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia! Sing Alleluia! All is well!
I can never sing or listen to this song without crying. It strikes a powerful chord in my heart. I look at the world, and I do not think that everything is all right. This last year, especially, has troubled me on a level that is hard to explain. The world as I knew and understood it is different now. Evil is rampant in our government and society. Things are not well, they are worse than ever!
But when I hear this song, God whispers his peace in my heart. The words of John 14 come to mind: “26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Nothing can defeat the final purpose of God.
God’s peace is on a different level than worldly peace. It doesn’t matter what is going on in the world. One day a baby was born in a manger, at a time when the world was very troubled. Mary and Joseph looked at him and knew the peace of God with us. The shepherds saw and understood that they were blessed by God. The wise men worshiped and brought him gifts. They knew he was king of their lives even though he would not rule in this world.
All is well. In the words of Julian of Norwich, “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” For tonight, darkness fell. Born is now Emmanuel. Sing Alleluia. And may the peace that only God gives be renewed in your heart this Christmas.