I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

The American Civil war was raging and ravaging as the great American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow put pen to paper. Aching from the untimely death of his beloved wife, on Christmas Day 1863, he wrote these poetic stanzas:

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play;

In music sweet the tones repeat,

“There’s peace on earth, good will to men.”

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th’ unbroken song

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 does He sleep,

For Christ is here; His Spirit near

Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”

The literary giant longed for the peace of God. He's just like me and you! We need to be reminded that, even in the hardest and harshest circumstances, God is near. He's Emmanuel... God with us!

“God is not dead, nor does He sleep,

For Christ is here; His Spirit near

Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).