Hear the Bells, not the Dissention

Peace and good will are prevalent during the Christmas season, but not for everyone. Tis’ a season of conflict and enmity for some.

Christmas day 1863 found Henry Wadsworth Longfellow grieving over his son wounded in the Civil War battle of Gettysburg. Two years earlier his wife had burned to death in a fire. Consumed in depression, Henry had every reason to justify surrendering to unrest and enmity.  

Then, in the background the mourning poet heard Christmas bells chiming. Peace and good will prevailed as he picked up his pen . . .. . .

“I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth and good will to men.”

The reality of his hardships suddenly challenged, and he continued writing . . .

‘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.”

We are our choices. Gratefully Henry chose to hear the Bells’ hope, not Dissention’s despair, and he resumed . . .

“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.”

I believe Henry next experienced what Celtic Christians call a Thin Space . . . a transient, ephemeral moment when eternity suddenly seems to invade time, and heaven touches earth as he finished his poem, later set to song as Christmas Day Bells . . .

“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.”

Today’s News clips . . .

• Ukrainian civilians killed in Russian missile and drone attacks
•  Wars being fought and threatening worldwide
•  Students killed taking finals
• Jews slaughtered celebrating Hanukkah . . .

“There is no peace on earth”, I said,”

‘For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

BUT !!!

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep,

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

We are our choices. This Christmas season and beyond, may we each chose to hear Bell’s hope, not Dissention’s despair, ever continuing to pray for “peace on earth, good will to men.”

From our home to yours . . .

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!