Christmas BELLS!

So I wrote this post yesterday, but our internet was down and so I couldn't post it. I know you were all waiting with baited breath for my next Christmas post, here it is:


This is (I think) my favorite Christmas hymn. It's probably appropriate to share on the day our President accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. Regardless of whether you think Pres. Obama deserved the prize or not, I think it's awesome that there is an organization out there which strives to recognize people who "proclaim peace." Too often our society glorifies violence, it's nice that we try to recognize peace as a worthy goal.

After all, the angels sang of "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, Goodwill toward men." So, let us strive to establish peace in our lives - in our relationships, in our country, and in the world too.

Here are the full lyrics of the poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (the carol in our hymnal omits two of the verses). To me it has more meaning because it was written during the dark times of civil war, when the United States was riven by discord and disunion, yet it ends on a note of hope that we can come together as brothers and sisters.

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.

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 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.

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.”

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.