During this season where we celebrate the birth of Christ, I have found this hymn to be encouraging. It is one of my favorite Christmas hymns--what a great reminder that during a time where people are killing each other, there is much hate, "God is NOT dead, nor doth he sleep" May you be encouraged by it as well. I have included the history of the song at the bottom.
I heard the bells on Christmas day,
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along, th'un broken song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth" I sald,
"For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill 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, goodwill to men"
Tilll, ringing, singing on its way,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
,
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
Written in 1864 by Henry Longfellow. His wife, while cooking dinner, managed to catch her
dress on fire from the stove. Unable to put it out, the rest of the house caught fire, burned
down and Henry's wife perished. In addition to this, he was informed that his son who was
serving in the union army (without his fathers blessing) was severely wounded. In despair at
Christmas time while walking outside, he heard bells ringing nearby pealing a Christmas
hymn. Pulled from his slump and given new encouragement, he was inspired to write this
hymn of peace on earth and goodwill to men.
Edit: Sadly, I cannot remember the source to this story . A lengthier version is available by doing a simple Google search.
