Many of us come into the Holiday season feeling broken or are going through some deep struggle with something or someone. To add to our trials is the pressure to find the perfect gift, to attend numerous parties and holiday functions, and to attempt to mend broken relationships with family and friends.
The poem, “Christmas Bells,” was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1864 and echoes the inner turmoil that can be present during the holidays. Unfortunately, this time for celebration also is a stressful one. The carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is written based on Longfellow’s poem. Longfellow’s poem shows his stress during the holidays—he wants to hope for peace but notices the damage of war and human conflict. At the end you’ll notice the author’s hope returns and he has faith that all will be well in the end.
During this holiday season, please reflect on the inner strength and solace within you. Draw on your personal strength and reflect on the hope in Longfellow’s poem when the stress of the holidays threatens to overwhelm you.
Please also remember the troops during the holiday. We are grateful for their service and hope they have a safe and relaxing holiday.
Click here to listen to “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” The lyrics are posted at the bottom of this post for your convenience. Happy Holidays!
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!
