Christmas Bells

Sunday School was amazing this past week. The amount of hours that Eric spends in preparing for our class is so evident in his teaching and passion. Not only do his lessons inspire me to grow spiritually, but I usually learn something historically as well. This week was no different. Eric shared the history behind the famous song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". If you're ready for a small history lesson, allow me to share.

Longfellow was the most popular poet of his day and is generally regarded as the most distinguished poet the country had produced. A friend once wrote to him that no other poet was so fully recognized in his lifetime. Many of his works helped shape the American character and its legacy, particularly with the poem "Paul Revere's Ride". He was such an admired figure in the United States during his life that his 70th birthday in 1877 took on the air of a national holiday, with parades, speeches, and the reading of his poetry. Henry had his share of suffering as well. While in their own home, his wife's dress caught fire while standing near the heater. Henry awakened from his nap to her screams and was able to put the fire out. Unfortunately, she was too badly burned and passed away the next morning. In Henry's attempt to save his wife, his face was badly burned which resulted in the beard that adorned his face, becoming his trademark.

Almost a year later, Longfellow received word that his oldest son Charles, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, had been severely wounded with a bullet passing under his shoulder blades and taking off one of the spinal processes. Filled with grief, from the past years events, Longfellow penned the words of the poem "Christmas Bells" on Christmas Day of 1864:

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 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.”

Several months later, the poem was decorated with musical notes and sung by an all boys choir. Today, there are over 15 different versions of this beautiful song. This happens to be my favorite:
Enjoy the holidays as you worship Jesus Christ, the son of the living God!