Hope of the Nations
Malachi 4:2
By Bobby Blanton
But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.
During Christmas season, a song is often heard that was made famous by Bing Crosby. The song begins with the words: “Said the night wind to the little lamb, ‘Do you see what I see?’”
Here’s the story behind the song: It was written by Noel Regney and Gloria Baker in 1962 in response to the Cuban missile crisis. That’s why you find the line “Pray for peace, people everywhere.”
The song probably would have faded into obscurity had it not been for a couple of intersecting circumstances. Bing Crosby discovered the song and decided to include it on his new Christmas album. So he went into the recording studio… on November 22, 1963. You’ll recall this was the exact day in which President Kennedy was killed.
The song was shortly released and became a soothing balm to a grieving nation struggling to cope with the tragedy of a fallen leader. Our nation was in mourning, needing a word of hope during that Christmas of ‘63. Many found it in that song. The song ends “A child, a child sleeping in the night; He will bring us goodness
and light.”
The prophet Malachi shared a similar word of hope. For those who trust God, He points to the coming of the Sun of righteousness, arising with “healing in his wings.” Of course, Malachi was referring to our Lord Jesus. He is our righteousness; the Sun that lights up our lives and breaks away our darkness. Our healer of all that ails us. Interestingly, this would be the last word given from heaven for hundreds of years. How dark and hopeless the world must have been during those years of silence! Then, in a small village of Nazareth, the angel Gabriel announces the dawning of a new day. The Sun was about to dawn. (Luke 1:26-38) Hallelujah!
Heavenly Father, thank you for all the goodness you give us in Christ Jesus. Our hearts are comforted today knowing that your Light is more powerful than any darkness that tries to discourage me.“A child, a child sleeping in the night; He will bring us goodness and light.”