I had no idea

My very favorite Christmas carol is, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Ever since I was small, I've loved this song. It was the topic of a blog post by a famous blogger today, and she told the story of how it was written. Given the challenges faced by those in my family this season, I feel that this song, which I've always loved, has a special resonance.

The words, written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, are a result of Longfellow's struggle with some pretty difficult things. His wife had died in an accidental fire, his son had joined the Union army and then been wounded in battle. He penned the poem on Christmas Day in 1863.

Knowing the backstory, your heart nearly breaks for Longfellow: living in a country torn apart by a dreadful war, his son wounded, his wife gone, I cannot imagine his grief. But I imagine him pulling himself up taller in his chair to write the final refrain. He was stronger than he thought. We are all stronger than we think.

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."

Here are the words in their entirety:

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."