Christmas is just two days away! For millions around the world, it is a time of great joy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus together.
Moreover, it is a time when we reflect on the year past and count our many blessings as we celebrate with joy the birth of God’s precious Son.
Though for many, this time of the year brings sorrowful memories. We remember a loved one who died or a friend who lost their battle against cancer. Perhaps this time of year causes us to reflect on a tragedy that struck out of nowhere.
Yes, for many remembering the events of the past year brings sorrow.
Such was the case in 1861 for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Tragedy Strikes
Longfellow lived in Cambridge Massachusetts with his wife and five children. The first shots of the civil war pitting the north against the south rang out in April 1861. In July, Henry’s wife, Frances, was burned to death in an accidental fire started by some hot wax. In trying to put out the fire that engulfed Frances, Henry himself suffered severe burns.
At Christmas, the year of Frances’ death, Henry grieved for his wife as he wrote in his journal, “How inexpressibly sad are all holidays.”
A year later, at Christmas in 1862, Henry was still grieving for his beloved Frances. He wrote in his journal, “A merry Christmas’ say the children, but that is no more for me.”
The following year, Henry’s son, Charles, ran off and joined the Union army. Henry received a letter on December 1, 1863, that Charles was badly wounded in battle when a bullet passed through his shoulder and injured his spine.
His wife died in a tragic fire. Henry suffered disfiguring burns in the vain attempt to save her life. His son was severely injured in battle. The civil war raged on.
Every Christmas reminded Longfellow of the sorrow and tragedy in his life.
On Christmas morning 1863, Longfellow heard the church bells ringing. Listening to the church bells, Longfellow wrote a poem reflecting on the tragedy of war and the despair in his life. Yet, while he was in the midst of his sorrow, Longfellow expressed hope for the future.
He titled his poem simply, Christmas Bells.
Christmas Bells
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.”
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men
Although he was in the midst of his despair, Longfellow still found hope as the Christmas bells rang. They reminded him of the hope that comes from knowing that God is still on His throne. God is still in control. So, because of Him, there is hope for a future of peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
This may have been a year filled with tragedy. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one. You may be feeling deep sorrow for a tragedy that befell you or someone you care about.
If that is the case, I pray that you will experience God’s mercy and grace and find comfort in His loving embrace.
Listen to the church bells in your life. Can you hear them? They are ringing out “peace on earth and goodwill to men.”
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I found this recording of I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns. It is based on Longfellow’s poem. I hope you enjoy it!
Join the Conversation
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Category: Personal Development | Dependence on God
