The Bells of Christmas Day, Of Peace on Earth, Good-Will to Men

A century and a half ago, Longfellow penned the well-known carol, “Christmas Bells.” Out of character for a Christmas Carol, it spoke of sorrow and war, and the muting of peace and good-will. The poem was written in the midst American Civil War, in which Longfellow’s son fought for the Union.
I can’t help but think of how this relates to today. It’s Christmas Eve and South Sudan is in the midst of war. Many are dead; others are seeking refuge. I felt it appropriate to share this well know song, as it parallels with this Christmas.  

Please pray for South Sudan. For "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.” Pray that “The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."  Remember that Christmas is about the Christ Child and the hope he brings. If only the whole world knew of this hope. All of the cookies, presents, and bustle dim in the light of all this. Thank God for the Christ Child, our Messiah!

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 hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households 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."