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Thursday, December 24, 2015 –
Till ringing, singing on its way. The world revolved from night to day.
This time of year, I am often reminded of the great carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. After suffering through years of great despair following the tragic loss of his wife and the injury of his son Charles in the War Between the States, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote Christmas Bells, the basis for the carol I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.
This carol tells of its narrator's despair that "hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men," until on Christmas Day when he hears the ringing of the bells , which celebrate the power of faith and offer great hope.
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.
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 well 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!"
This meaningful, moving carol was the result of Longfellow having faced the blues, something many experience this time of year. If you know someone of suffering from the blues, consider reaching out to them. All can benefit from and appreciate the importance of community, caring, and giving.
A hopeful message to remember: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11).”
From my family to yours, best wishes for a safe and merry Christmas.
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