Week 26: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Of all the songs of Christmas, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is my very favorite. It was written by an incredible poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow soon after his son passed away. Longfellow had a terribly tragic life, losing three wives and a few of his children, and the time he wrote this poem was one of the lowest points of his life.

There's an clock tower that chimes Christmas songs in the middle of Shelton, and it made me think of the words of this beloved song.

1. 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.

2. I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'un broken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

3. 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."

4. 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."

5. 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!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nk77EOgapg

This week is Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Savior. It is a holiday of family traditions, the giving of gifts, and the spreading of Holiday cheer. Amid the hustle and bustle of Holiday shopping, decorating, cooking, baking and making things just perfect, let's all take a minute to think about the reason for this incredible season. This world is a troubled place where it seems "there is no peace on earth... for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth good will to men." But aren't we lucky that there is another verse! 

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. 

What a blessed knowledge! God is NOT dead! We are not left alone in this world, we have a loving Father in Heaven and a Savior who came for us! We are just so blessed! 

Merry Christmas, my Friends! May we all remember the Savior at this wonderful time of year!

All my love,

Sister Megan Monson