I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

The message in church this morning was entitled "Seeking Peace on Earth" with Luke 2:10-14 as the scripture focus. Our pastor spoke of the time in his life when he first came to the realization that Christmas was not a magical happy time for everyone. It was while singing the hymn "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day", the second to last verse in particular. I did a little research on the hymn when I got home and found that the lyrics were taken from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow written during the American Civil War.

As we continue in this Advent season, may we keep all those who serve in the armed forces in our thoughts and prayers.

Christmas Bells

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will 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, good-will to men!

Then from each black accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent

The heart-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The household born

Of peace on earth, good-will 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, good-will 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, good-will to men!