HEAR THE BELLS THIS CHRISTMAS

I’m a poet. I think most people could be poets. You write about what you see, what you hear, and what you feel. We all have strong emotions we could write about. I have written lately about the darkness I’ve seen these last few weeks in our world. The news has been heavy and peace on earth seems unobtainable. Amidst the “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” there stands out one carol, a poem set to music. A poem written a long time ago about feelings of darkness. It is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day.” I think we need this poem today, on the eve of Christmas.

 Christmas Bells

 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.”

 Longfellow wrote this poem on Christmas day in 1864. He had experienced personal darkness. He was mourning the death of his wife, the national division and despair during the Civil War, and the severe wounding of his son in battle. All seemed too dark and too much to bear, until that Christmas morning when he heard the rich resonate bells ringing from a nearby church.

We may think our news is dark and that hate and evil are prevailing. We may ask, “Where are you God in the midst of this?” But all throughout history war has raged between good and evil. In the midst of this pull, we have a choice, with our free will, we can embrace light. We can share peace and good will to those around us. We can share the light and love of Christ to transform our home, our circle of friends, and our community; it starts here. It starts small. So, don’t despair on this Christmas Eve; hear the bells! “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.” Love those in your circle, do good, let your words encourage and lift each other up. More important than any gift you can place under the tree, give away the love, grace, and mercy that God has shown you. Merry Christmas my friends, and peace and good will to you as you listen for the bells!

Published in The Facts, Brazos Living on December 24th, 2025