Peace On Earth Goodwill To Men
Christmas Carol – I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
[simpleazon-image align=”right” asin=”B001EOQUWS” locale=”us” height=”350″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518M4Njo-wL.jpg” width=”350″]”I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem “Christmas Bells” by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In the poem, the author tells of his despair -just as many of us tell of our despair of how things are going all around us – upon hearing Christmas bells, that “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men”. Right here in beautiful little Trinidad and Tobago, the murder rate continues to spiral out of control. I am sure that in you part of the woods, you too have your issues to contend with, that seen to mock the song of “Peace on earth goodwill to me.” But the poem does not end on a note of despair, but on one of great hope! The carol concludes:
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
There is great hope – no matter how hopeless things may seem. GOD IS ALIVE! He would not have gone through the trouble of sending His Only SON – Jesus Christ – to save us from our sins, if evil would have the final say. I believe that much of our approach to the despair and darkness we see around us is contained in the document issues last November by Pope Francis entitled Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel.
My first memory of this poem turned carol was when I was a child and it was sung my Frank Sanatra. I believe Andy Williams also had a recording of the carol, and they have always warmed my heart, especially towards the end that assures us that God is alive and He is not sleeping; that wrong will ultimately fail and righteousness shall prevail! It is indeed, a song of great hope. I pray that it will bless your heart
I have also included a very beautiful version of this carol by Casting Crown. Hope you like it.
God Bless You.
By Casting Crown
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
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 thought as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
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 does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
