December 23, 2021 - Psalm 121; Micah 5: 5

There is much divisiveness in our world today. It seems that more is written in the news today of death, war, strife and suffering than ever before. The airwaves are filled with the vengeance of individuals and of countries threatening one another. Where is the peace on earth that is promised?

Henry W. Longfellow was asking these questions to situations he faced in 1863 while watching the country being torn apart by Civil war. He was a professor of Literature at Harvard University and was well aware of the dark clouds that hung over the United States at this time. His son had run away and joined the Union army and was wounded in the shoulder. The bullet grazed his spine and almost caused paralysis. Informed of his son's location, Longfellow traveled to Washington D.C., retrieved his son and returned to Cambridge where he nursed him back to health.

On Christmas day of 1863, Longfellow gave expression to his feelings when he penned the words of, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. The poem originally had seven stanzas. The two which were omitted spoke of the "cannons thundering" and "the hatred tearing apart the hearth stones of a continent". The bells that rang on Christmas Day raised the drooping head of the poet and reminded him that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep".

One other incident that caused Longfellow to grow melancholy was the death of his wife. She perished when her dress caught fire from the stove as she was cooking. In the midst of national turmoil and personal grief, Longfellow felt the heaviness of despair and loss. The blessed promise of this song written on that Christmas day has provided an antidote for many who have lives gripped with fear and hysteria.

Let the ringing of bells and singing of carols remind us of the truth that darkness and despair will give way to joy and peace on earth. Christ came to take away the sins of man and provide peace on earth, goodwill to men! Receive the gift of eternal life and the peace of God which passes all understanding by asking Christ to live and reign in your life today.