Today I had the pleasure of attending the recently released movie “I Heard the Bells”. It was based on the story behind the writing of “Christmas Bells”, by America’s most popular poet of the 19^th century, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He was famous for writing such poems as “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere”, “The Song of Hiawatha” and “The Village Blacksmith” to name a few.

Longfellow was a prolific poet and professor at Harvard University.  He suffered from much heartache, losing his first wife and child, a daughter from his second marriage and his second wife to a fire in which he was badly burned trying to save her.  His son was wounded in the Civil War and was temporarily paralyzed.

Upon losing his second wife and his son being injured, his grief was so great he turned to substance abuse and feared he would be sent to an asylum. He had lost his faith in God and felt only hopelessness and gloom. On Christmas Day in 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this poem which began with a reflection of his personal grief and the horrifying times of the Civil War. It finally ends on a note of triumph, with his return to the Lord for help and healing.

Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet the word’s repeat of peace on earth, good will to men.

I 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 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!

This poem was originally entitled “Christmas Bells” but in 1872, John Baptiste Calkin, a church organist, took a tune he wrote in 1848 and used it as the melody for the poem and it became “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” the beloved Christmas hymn we know today.

How blessed we are to reap the benefits of the talents of these gifted poets and musicians. Through their combined efforts, they have brought us such beautiful and meaningful music of songs that tell of the wonders of God’s unconditional love. It never ceases and is there through all the ups and downs of our lives. All we have to do is reach out and ask. Thanks be to God for His love and most wonderful gift…Jesus!               

Patty