In
the 1860s, famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow found himself in deep despair.
Tragically, his wife of 18 years had died as the result of a fire, and his son had
been severely wounded in the Civil War, a war that devastated so many American
families. Yet in the midst of it all, on Christmas Day 1863, Longfellow crafted
a poem he titled “Christmas Bells.” It captured both the terrors taking place around
him and the hope that stirred in his soul.1
The
poem brought us a timeless message that was later turned into the carol “I
Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Longfellow had heard the Christmas bells that day, as well as the singing of
the words “peace on earth,” but he saw also the world of injustice and violence
that seemed to mock the truth of the Christmas message.
Throughout
the poem is woven the theme of listening — listening deeply beyond despair,
horror and heartbreak; listening confidently to the hope that can exist even alongside
bleak despair.
An
excerpt of the poem goes like this:
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 …
...approximately 1,054 words remaining. You are not logged in. Please see options at the top of this page to view complete sermon.
