Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I wonder how many know he actually wrote a song that's in your hymnbook. I'm not sure if the lyrics are meant to be taken from his own personal experience, but it's easy to imagine many believers worldwide looking at the atrocities in Kim's Korea and singing words like this...

I heard the bells on Christmas day, Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

I thought how,as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'unbroken song Of peace on earth, goodwill 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, goodwill to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men:"

Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!

I imagine Longfellow envisioned a swelling of human effort bringing on an era of peace. But that Voice he mentions is the Voice of the Lord. That chime is none other than the Last Trumpet of God. That chant is the choir of angels and the Redeemed returning with Christ to set things straight on this planet. Oh yes, North Korea will be made righteous one day. Through our prayers, the righteousness of Christ can be raised up even in our day.