Bells???

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" - poem by H. W. (1807-1882)Longfellow

"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.

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 (set to music by J.B.Calkin) during the American Civil War and there are two verses that refer specifcally to the war that are now usually omitted when sung at Christmas. You can read those verses and hear the tune here:http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/h/iheardtb.htm

As in all of our lives, Longfellow had known deep sorrows and was shaken by the death of his wife and the injuries to his oldest son when he penned these words. All of us are heartened by his sentiments, yearning for peace and good will to men. The 4th vs. in particular is one full of hope when we sing "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep".

I have 2 observations: This piece is classed as a Christmas carol, but where in the song do you find the reason for Christmas? No mention of prophecies, angels, stars, mangers, geneologies, wise men or a Baby born to a virgin. True, the angels proclaimed "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Lu. 2:14 and this is right in the middle of the Christmas narrative. But no reason is given for this proclamation in Longfellow's poem. It is noted that Longfellow belonged to the Unitarian church and "he maintained a strong belief in God's goodness and personal concern for His people." (Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by K.W.Osbeck.) Thank God that as Christians we know WHO is our peace and how good will has been given to men in the Incarnation.

Obersation 2: When was the last time you heard bells on Christmas day? Or even just heard church bells ring out in all their glory.?? We have bell choirs, carillons, organ registers of bells and chimes and the ding-ding of the Salvation Army bell ringers, but I have not heard real church bells for a long time. An article recently said that alot of the magnificent cathedrals of Europe no longer have their bell towers, or bells or people who know how to ring the bells. Maybe that is a good reason for us to sing this Christmas song, to remind ourselves of the joy and glorious occasion, the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that should cause us to call out, chime out and share the Good News!!