I have a favorite Christmas Hymn. It is: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Not too many people know this but the Hymn was actually written during the civil war and stanzas 4 and 5 are often omitted from modern hymnals, probably because they are too gloomy for church, but the message of the hymn is one I feel that is more important today than ever. So If you would please allow an old sentimental fool this one luxury I'd like to post it here on my blog:
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 how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn, the households born
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.”
We live in a time of uncertainty and war. My daughter, Erica, who is 8 has lived her whole life with America at war. I hope this coming year we can have the more peace. I hope our soldiers come home safe to their families and I pray that there is more peace on earth and good will toward men. Merry Christmas everyone!
Love,
The Chad Hardin Family.
