Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

I hope everyone as had an amazing day and enjoyed spending time with your families.

So, there is a Christmas carol that has been on my mind and I am sure it is one everyone has heard. But if by chance you haven't, you have now. These are the words written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on December 25th 1864...

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!


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!


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!

This was written after Henry had been through hell and back. Three years earlier his wife had passed suddenly and tragically when her dress got too close to the fireplace and caught on fire. She ran to Henry and he wrapped her in a blanket to smother the flames but it was too late. Henry suffered burns from trying to save her that were so severe that he couldn't even attend his wife's funeral. A year after the incident he wrote, "I can make no record of these days. Better leave them wrapped in silence. Perhaps someday God will give me peace."

In 1963 Henry found out that is oldest son was wounded in battle. a bullet had passed through both his shoulders and he was on bed rest for almost a year. Henry sat by his son and nursed him back to health. Henry had faith in spite of the doctors' grim predictions of his son's fate. He was there for his son even though he originally disagreed with his son's choice to join the army.

Finally in 1964 he was sitting in the parlor and heard the church bells in the distance playing a song about having hope and promoting peace and goodwill. The children were playing in the snow outside and feeling inspired he penned one of the most beautiful and applicable Christmas carols in existence.

Our world is dark and confusing. People are selfish and it seems like no one really cares about anyone else. But during this difficult time we must remember that God is aware of us and with us. He loves us and knows of our sorrows. He knew of Henry's sufferings and knew his heart and the peace and joy Henry felt listening to the joy outside was the breathe rejoining his lungs and touching his heart, making him feel alive and hopeful again for the first time in years.

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!


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!


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!

I love you all and wish you the best this holiday season has to offer!! Cherish your families and the time you have with them. It is the people that make is holiday special. Not the presents.