Julia Ward Howe moved, with her husband, from Boston to Washington, D.C. He was serving as an Army Surgeon.

Day after day she watched the troops go by. She heard the strains of a favorite marching song of the men in uniform, "John Brown's Body."

On October 16, John Brown leading a civilian force captured the government arsenal at Harper's Ferry to obtain guns to free the slaves. He was surrounded two days later and captured. He was found guilty and hanged on December 2, 1859. In the minds of some he was a hero, and a song was written about his exploits.

The heart of Julia Ward Howe was deeply moved by the song and the brave troops going off to war. A minister friend asked her, "Why don't you write new words to that tune?" "I have often prayed that I might," she replied. Some time later the words to a poem came to her. We call it, "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory." It was set to a tune by John William Steffe, "Battle Hymn of the Republic"

Mine eyes have seen the coming of the glory of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightening of his terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    His truth is marching on.

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I have seen in him in the wachfires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an alter in the evening dews and damps'
I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps.
His day is marching on.
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    His day is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgement seat.
O be swift, my soul, to answer him! be jubilant my feet!
Our God is marching on.
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me;
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free;
While God is marching on.
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    Glory! glory, hallelujah!
    While God is marching on.

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This is a marching song. It is a beautiful song. It is a purposeful song. This is a militaristic song. It was not the reason for the coming of the child.

I have thought long and deeply about the contrast between the child and what he has come to mean to the people of our world.

We have misused him and his message We have abused his purpose. We have distorted the good news until it is hardly understood, even by those of us who follow him.

So I wrote some words to the tune "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

They are printed in your bulletin (They were). I title it: "Our Savior Born this Night." I admit that the poetry leaves something to be desired, but the sentiment is acceptable.

Angels tell the story of the coming of a child;
Who is lying in a manger where the shepherds stand in awe.
He comes to bear true witness to the gracious love of God.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ.
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
    Glory, Glory Hallelujah!
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
   Our Savior born this night.

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In a stable deep in Bethlehem, Christ lies amid the straw;
The star directs us to the place where he was given birth.
He comes to us in human form to set the captive free,
Again this Christmas Eve
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
    Our Savior born this night.

I have seen him in the villages and on the mountain side.
He tells the story of great hope and peace and love revived.
I can hear his gentle whisper speaking wondrous words of grace,
God's love forever new.
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
    Glory, Glory Hallelujah!
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
    Our Savior born this night.

He gives to us the Spirit's power to change our hearts and lives;
Overcoming sin and grief with hope and joy divine.
Accept his gifts, obey his law and follow in his way,
Learn to live today
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
    Glory, Glory Hallelujah!
    Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
    Our Savior born this night.

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The words of the ancient prophet Isaiah come to mind. They describe the child and his mission and how it will be accomplished.

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

It is a type of warfare, but fought with different on a different battle field and by different rules. It is not on the plains or in the cities, but in the mind and heart. It is not one that is won by sword, bullet, or nuclear bombs, but with love. The child will win the battle, when as an adult he arises from the tomb on an Easter morn.

6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Truly he is the Prince of Peace. This is the message of angels.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

Glory to God. Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! On earth, peace among those whom he favors, or on whom his favor rests. Glory to God in the highest heaven! Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!

May God help us to capture that peace for ourselves and work for it in mind and heart, in our homes and workplaces, and above all in the church.

May God help us to live in peace.

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