It was Christmas Day, 1863. American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wasn’t feeling very celebratory—and who could blame him? His wife of 18 years had been killed in an accidental fire two years prior. His son had run off to join the army, without his blessing, and returned severely wounded from the Civil War. Yet he sat down and penned several rhyming verses about Christmas, focusing particularly on Luke 2:14.
The first two verses read:
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play;
In music sweet the tones repeat,
“There’s 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.”
Wadsworth confesses that the sweet, nostalgic music of Christmas ringing out from the church bell tower actually made him feel pretty bummed out—despairing, even. Even though peace had been promised, he writes, it felt like hate was just too strong to beat.
But as he continues listening, he remembers the meaning of Christmas and the power of the Prince of Peace. Bigger than any war between his countrymen, any personal tragedy, and any depths of despair is the simple truth that God remains.
The poem takes a turn as the bells ring on:
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor does He sleep,
For Christ is here; His Spirit near
Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”
When men repent and turn from sin
The Prince of Peace then enters in,
And grace imparts within their hearts
His peace on earth, good will to men.
Nearly a century later, Bing Crosby recorded an arrangement of the song and it became a mainstay on many Christmas playlists. Perhaps that’s because it is one of the few Christmas songs that especially resonates with those who feel a heaviness and cynicism during the season. As we remember the words of Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace on whom his favor rests,” let that promise of peace be a balm for the wounds that tinsel and twinkling lights could never heal.
Conversation starter: Does Christmas ever make you feel sad? Why or why not?