I Heard the Bells...

There is a Christmas carol we rarely sing even though we likely hear it played on the radio or in stores every year. It is not in our hymnal, so I had not really studied the words until this year, but I do remember feeling somewhat "turned off" by the second-to-last verse when I first noticed it years ago.

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!"

Now that I know the story behind the original poem, it makes so much sense. Henry Longfellow had lost his beloved wife in a traumatic accident that left him not only emotionally, but also physically, scarred. Then their oldest son had run away to join the American Civil War without his father's consent.

The famous poet was surrounded by strife and pain, loss and death. In those years he even lost his poetry.

But have you ever thought about how fitting it is that a Christmas song should speak of hate and wrong? After all, the first Christmas took place among an oppressed people in a country occupied by a powerful enemy. Even Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem was due to a census which would enable the government to oppress them with further taxes. 

These disheartened people had been waiting centuries for God to fulfill his promises to send them a Savior - the Prince of Peace - which looked more hopeless than ever.

But in this dark time, some lowly shepherds out in their fields at night suddenly heard a multitude of angels praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men." 
· Luke 2:14

And so, nearly two centuries later, a broken poet heard those words ringing out through the bells of Christmas. And his hope was renewed.

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."

If you would like to know more of the story behind this song, don't miss the opportunity to go see "I Heard the Bells" in movie theaters for a limited time! Learn more and find showtimes at the official website here: https://www.iheardthebellsmovie.com/

Dad and I got to see the movie on what was supposed to be one of only a few days in theaters, but it has been so well-received that showtimes keep being added. We can personally recommend both this movie and the fledgling company that produced it as their first venture, because we have appreciated the theater productions of its parent company, Sight & Sound Ministries, for years now. 

Though the movie is not yet rated, I would warn that it is not for young children due to a war injury and a tragic death - though they are portrayed very mildly, all things considered.

Finally, here is the entire poem - including verses we do not hear sung.

Christmas Bells

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
Written 1863

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."