A Christmas Carol for Sandy Hook

The proximity of the Connecticut tragedy last Friday to Christmas seems to mock the angels' message of peace on earth and good will toward men in Luke 2:14. Yesterday as I sang “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," my mind turned to the senseless deaths of so many and questions that always accompany such evil deeds.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who wrote the words in a poem during the Civil War, well expresses my feelings when faced with horrible wrongs. Although Longfellow’s despair of ever seeing peace on earth arose from a different source, the carol aptly describes my feelings today.  I hope you find a few quiet minutes to meditate on the words of the poem written below, listen to it, or even sing this beautiful Christmas carol. (You might enjoy the updated Casting Crowns version.)

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!

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 the earth, good-will to men."