All is Well

We travelled at night on our way home from Thanksgiving, on highways surrounded by emptiness. Leaving family behind and reflecting on what this past year revealed about our country, world, and my life triggered some concern and sadness. It doesn’t take long to develop a gloomy character or holiday funk. Then, interrupting my downheartedness, streaming through the car speakers, came the beautiful Christmas song “All is Well” by Michael W. Smith. 

I sat there in the darkness, repeating in my mind, but all is not well. In fact, I could create quite a list of situations I would love to see changed. Couldn’t you?

None of us have to search for brokenness in our lives and world. We are all undone. Yet, in this unfinished, ruined state the Christ child entered, fulfilling prophecy after prophecy from the Old Testament. At last, the world’s undoing encounters hope for all humankind.

At times, I shift away from the Christ who offers hope, peace, and fulfillment. The calming words “all is well” swung my thoughts back to the peace I had set aside.

After returning home from Thanksgiving, I reflected further on these three comforting words.  

The saying, “all is well” dates back to at least the Civil War. In the prison camps of both the North and South, guards would call out every hour during the night, beginning at ten o’clock. “Post number one—ten o’clock and all’s well.” 

Imagine the restlessness of prisoners and guards. The constant wonderment of what their horrible circumstances held in store each day. Life would never be the same for any of them.

Now envision in that most desperate of situations an audible voice in the darkness shouting, “all is well.” Not just once, but every hour, like a coo-coo clock. Perhaps those words brought prisoners and guards a shared sense of peace throughout the long nights?

How much do we fear moments based on uncertainty? What if we heard, like clockwork, fear not all is well? That was the message the angel delivered to terrified shepherds. “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10). Or in other words, all is well! 

For a Savior is born!

What if we leaned hard into the words Jesus spoke? “Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage” (John 14:27).

We live in a messy world, but our “mess holder” assures us he is sovereign. God’s presence resides in every shadowy night. And our lives are no less cradled than the baby Jesus. All is still well among the stench, shadows, and prickly straw to those who trust in him. 

Those who follow the Savior know his story did not begin with his birth or finish in his death on the cross. We rejoice in that reality, experience its peace, and rest in God’s promises that life ends well, very well!

We still join with the angels in proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).

May the Savior’s peace dwell in your life this Christmas and throughout the New Year by believing, All is Well!