The Christmas Bells Still Ring

 


Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was in despair. The man who most considered America's best poet found his life adrift. His adoring wife had died a tragic death. His son had forged his signature on papers and ran off to join the Union Army near the start of the Civil War. 

And Henry sat around his dusty house smelling ether and existing in a daze. For three years, he did not pen a single poem. His pens and paper and books gathered dust instead. This powerful American voice fell silent.

Yet there was also a war raging in Henry's heart. How could all of these tragedies happen?  How can I endure? Is God dead, he asked?

Many are tempted to ask that same question.

Some because of challenges under their own roof. Perhaps illness, or a lost business, or even a child that has left home.

Still, others feel despair after watching the evening news or reading headlines in a newspaper. A sampling of headlines today could put your stomach in a knot. 

  • Biden Admin Stonewalling Oversight Efforts into Afghan Aid
  • 2.8 million Illegals Expected to Cross Southern Border Next Year
  • Five Bombshells From Elon Musk's Disclosure on Hunter Biden Laptop Suppression
  • Putin's Spy Chief Says He Discussed Ukraine With CIA Director
  • Congressional Budget Office Has Bleak Outlook for US Economy in 2023 and 2024
  • Satellite Images Reveal Russian Nuke Bombers Ready to Strike

It is enough to make you cry or lose sleep. Some might even be tempted to ask, as Longfellow did, is God dead? Does God not even care?

Longfellow eventually discovered the answer to that question after his son returned home from the Civil War wounded. The answer he found is the same answer for us. God is not dead and the Christmas bells still ring loud and clear as Longfellow so beautifully wrote in his poem, "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 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."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MU Extension Announces Show Me Neighborhood Art Week June 1-15

Image
  To participate in Show Me Neighborhood Art Week, Missourians  must register here online . The registration deadline for Show Me Neighborhood Art Week is May 24. Preexisting and new public art can be registered, but only new art can be considered for prizes. The location for this event is ALL of Missouri -- your front yard, your neighborhood, and your community. The online state map marking locations around Missouri will be interactive. If you have questions, please see the contact emails at the end of this blog. SPRINGFIELD, MO. -  University of Missouri Extension has announced the launch of a new statewide public art exhibit called Show Me Neighborhood Art Week. This outreach program strives to promote creative expression and public art made by residents, regardless of their skill level, as a contribution to the community's sense of place and residents' sense of belonging. The initiative was inspired by LAWN (Lawn Art With Neighbors), a grassroots program launched in Springf
Read more

ABCD Training for Neighborhood and Homeowner Leaders

Image
  Free Training for Neighborhood and HOA Leaders  We are excited to announce that Community Partnership of the Ozarks and University of Missouri Extension are hosting Jennifer Prophete from The Hopeful Neighborhood Project.  She will be teaching a workshop that equips neighborhood (and homeowner) association board members and leaders to develop their community through the perspective of asset-based community development (ABCD).  The training is set for 9 a.m. to 12 noon on March 16 at the Dream Center, 829 W Atlantic St., Springfield, Mo. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. and breakfast is going to be provided. If you are a leader in a neighborhood or homeowners association in or near Springfield, please join us for this free and educational event on March 16th.   To register, please email Dylan Millikin at dmillikin@cpozarks.org or call (417) 888-2020, Ext 128. MORE INFORMATION Does this article make you interested in taking the  Engaged Neighbor pledge ? Five categories and 20 principles to
Read more

12 Missourians Named Most Engaged Neighbors for 2023

Image
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Twelve Missourians have been chosen for statewide recognition as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” for 2023 as part of the planned activities for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4). Sixty-two people were nominated for recognition as one of Missouri's most engaged neighbors. Each of them received an acknowledgment letter and gift by mail. “Honestly the plan was to honor ten, but we couldn’t get to that number,” said Jennifer Prophete, coordinator of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. “I thought the nominations this year were great from one to sixty-two.” “We were excited to see two Missouri towns, Seymour and Webster Groves, collect their own nominations and honor engaged neighbors during the week,” said David Burton, a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist. “It would be great to see other cities do something similar next year. We must celebrate and recognize neighborly behavior.” These statewide awards are provi
Read more