December 10: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Second Week of Advent: Peace
December 10: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (United States of America)

Poets often give words to thoughts and emotions that touch us deeply. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words to this American Carol when he was in a deep depression. He acknowledges the pain and despair he felt, and that many can feel in our world today. We love the joy-filled, robust melodies of Christmas, but for some they are hard to sing. Maybe you, or someone you know, is in a place of despair, grief, pain, uncertainty. One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is to really listen to them, to enter in to where they sit and to give them your full attention. That is what Jesus did. He who was God became man. He came to live with us and to bring forever hope to a world in great need. He shared His time and demonstrated His great love for all people.

Wadsworth was reminded of the greatest truth: God loves you and will never leave you or abandon you. Seemingly all of a sudden, he heard the church bells ringing. God touched his spirit and said “I am here!” God often surprises us in our times of greatest needs, but He also invites us to continually seek Him, to look for His presence in some of the common occurrences of our lives or in the lives of others.

“Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush a fire with God; and only he who seeks takes off his shoes…” Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Today’s carol is not your “typical” Christmas Carol but maybe it should be. Christmas is a time to renew our hope. God chose to send His Son to a people in despair, at the darkest time of the year and the angels exuberantly said, “Peace on Earth, good will to all humankind!” Remind yourself, and others you meet, God is not dead, He is here, He brings Hope to all humankind! There is an invitation to hear
in new ways this Christmas! How will you become more aware of Him and spread His hope?

Nancy Lewis
Retired Covenant Pastor/Spiritual Director

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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

I 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
Of peace on earth, good will

Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannons 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 hearthstones of our continent
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good will to men
Of peace on earth, good will

Then in despair I hung my head
There is no peace on earth, I said
For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail
And the right prevail
With 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
Of peace on earth, good will to men
Of peace on earth, good will to men