I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (video)

<<Video Below>>

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) is among the Great Cloud of Witnesses who have gone before us into glory (Heb 12:1). He’s a favorite of mine. Perhaps because I grew up “by the shores of Gitchee Gumee, by the shining Big-Sea-Water.” (I even had to memorize that poem in Jr. High. LOL)  

Longfellow is most well-known for his poems “Paul Revere’s Ride,” “The Song of Hiawatha,” and “Evangeline.” But his poem, “Christmas Day,” written in 1863, was set to music, and you’ve likely sung the words in the popular Christmas song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”   

While you probably know the poem’s words from the Christmas song, you likely don’t know the story of the circumstances that inspired Longfellow to write. Before listening to a beautiful rendition of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” consider the poet and his poetry.  You’ll find a new and deeper meaning to the sound of the bells in “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” (VIDEO BELOW)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

For many years,  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow had been vocal in his opposition to slavery in our country. His poem, “The Witnesses,” written in 1842 on a ship crossing the Atlantic from Europe to the United States, reveals his thoughts:

“In Ocean’s wide domains, Half buried in chains,
Lie skeletons in chains, With shackled feet and hands. 

. . . Within Earth’s wide domains, Are markets for men’s lives;
Their necks are galled with chains, Their wrists are cramped with gyves.

Dead bodies, that the kite, In deserts makes its prey;
Murders, that with affright, Scare school-boys from their play!

. . .These are the woes of Slaves; They glare from the abyss;
They cry, from unknown graves, “We are the Witnesses!”

“The Witnesses” reveals Longfellow’s heart of compassion for the suffering of others, but his poem, “The Christmas Bells” reveals his own personal pain and suffering.

In 1861, the Civil War began.  

That same year, Longfellow lost his wife tragically in a fire, and only two years later, he faced another tragedy.

As a strong advocate of abolitionism, Longfellow hoped and prayed for reconciliation between the North and South. He longed for an end to slavery and an end to the war that had divided the country and brought so many injuries and deaths.  But there was no end in sight, and on December 1, 1863, the pains of war hit home for him.

Longfellow’s son Charles had been seriously injured by a Confederate bullet at the Battle of New Hope Church.  And on Christmas Day 1863, Longfellow sat at his son’s bedside, despairing.  He lamented over the war that was raging, the toll it was taking on so many, and the possibility of losing his son.  Sitting quietly, Longfellow heard church bells ringing the familiar song “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (click for the song’s history and video). That song includes the angels’ proclamation to the shepherds on the night Jesus was born: “On earth peace, goodwill toward men.”  Those words inspired Longfellow with hope.

The Christmas Bells

Hearing the bells ringing and hoping for his son’s recovery, Longfellow began his poem.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet, the words repeat, of peace on earth, goodwill 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, goodwill 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, goodwill to men!

As the cannon’s thunder pierced his mind, Longfellow’s thoughts turned to those of despair:

Then, from each black, accursed mouth, the cannon thundered in the South. 
And with the sound, the carols drowned, of peace on earth, goodwill 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, goodwill 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, goodwill to men!”

From Darkness to Light

In the deepest valley of pain and suffering, we are never alone.  And in the darkness of despair shines the light of hope.

The Gospels so beautifully remind us that Jesus is with us (Mat 28:20b).  He came to shine light in our darkness (John 1:5), to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), to give life to our souls (John 3:3), and to restore mankind to a right relationship with God (Mat 11:28).

It’s reasonable to think that Longfellow understood these precious promises, for in his despair on that Christmas Day in 1863, he remembered the message of hope that the bells proclaimed:  

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, goodwill to men.

Although we may have great trials, terrible tribulations, and overwhelming challenges, we need never despair. We have a hope that reigns eternal. Our God is alive and forever faithful to be with us, to watch over us, and to protect and guide us.  

We have hope in our hearts, peace in our minds, rest in our souls, and joy in Jesus that can never be taken away, for Jesus has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5).

Pause to Hear the Bells