Old, Familiar Carols
The year was 1861. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's second wife of 18 years, Franny, was killed when her dress accidently caught fire in the farmhouse. His first wife, Mary, had died 25 years earlier during childbirth. After Franny's death, he found it impossible to continue his writing and stuck to mainly translating works into English. Two years later his oldest son, Charles, enlisted in the army against his father's wishes and went off to war. Several months later, Wadsworth received word that Charles had been severely wounded in the Battle of Mine Run. In his despair, losing two wives and now potentially losing a son, Henry finally put pen to paper and wrote these words.
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!
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!
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."
Entitled Christmas Bells, it marries the despair of current circumstances with the hope that Christmas Day promises. I think the words have never had more meaning than they do this Christmas 2020. If this has been a less than stellar year for you, as it has been for me, listen, just listen. You will hear the bells playing old, familiar carols, carols that remind us what happened that first Christmas morning. The bells remind us that God is not dead, he isn't asleep, right will prevail.
I love Christmas music, always have. This year I find it having an even deeper meaning to me as it kindles memories that I desperately need this Christmas. That is my prayer for you, that these old, familiar carols kindle needed memories for you and that you are reminded of the promise and hope that Christmas brings. Wadsworth's poem was set to music and has become a much loved Christmas carol. There are several great versions out there, one of my favorites is by Casting Crowns. I suggest you find it, or whatever version you prefer, and listen for the bells and remember.
