The 9th Day of the 25 Days of Christmas

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1816. The Civil War broke out that same year, and it seemed this was an additional punishment. Two years later, Longfellow was again saddened to hear that his own son had been seriously wounded as a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac. Sitting down to his desk one Christmas Day, he heard the church bells ringing, and ringing. It was in this setting he wrote:

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 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.

Remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season!