Monday Morning Encouragement -- Peace On Earth

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Luke 2:14

On December 25, 1863 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned the words to the poem "Christmas Bells," which many years later would be set to music and become the familiar Christmas carol "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day." The story behind the poem is Longfellow's own battle to believe peace on earth is possible. Allow me to set the stage for you.

Longfellow was no stranger to grief. His first wife died in childbirth, along with the baby. His second wife and great love Fanny died in 1861  from injuries sustained when her dress caught on fire. In his attempt to save his wife, Longfellow was burned so badly that he was unable to attend his wife's funeral. To cover his facial scars, he grew the beard for which he is known, The couple had six children together. One daughter passed away before she reached the age of two.

The time period of the writing of "Christmas Bells" was the middle of the Civil War, and Henry's oldest son, Charles, had been seriously injured in the Mine Run Campaign. Henry was still grieving his wife's death and struggling with depression.

No one would blame Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for feeling the despair illustrated in these stanzas from the poem:

"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!'”

And yet, Henry finds within his soul the strength and faith to write the final words:

"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's poem to me is like reading one of David's psalms where he is struggling with his own despair, but is not overcome by it. He begins with questions and even doubts, but in the end he acknowledges the goodness of God, and how He will bring peace out of chaos. Like the bells which peeled "more loud and deep," God's voice is louder and deeper than our doubts and fears. 

One day Jesus will return to this troubled earth and bring the lasting peace that He has promised.  As we celebrate the wonder of our Savior's birth, we must remember that, and not lose hope. 

Today's music video I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day is Casting Crown's rendition of the familiar carol. I really have come to love this hauntingly beautiful song. I hope you will be as moved by it as I am.

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Thank you for being a part of my life!

I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.