Back around Christmas in 2010, I put up these two posts about a story that intrigued me when I heard it. I have since found out that Mr. Longfellow had some interesting beliefs (Have the revisionists taken him apart, too?) . However, the words of this song are so inspirational that I felt led to share the story once more.
When Brother Dick led the congregation in singing last week, he would never know how his selection of this song would bless me this year.
It is not one of the more popular Christmas Songs, but as I sang the song I did something I don’t always do I’m sorry to say.
I took note of the words.
This song, indeed, fits the times in which we live.
I looked at the bottom of the page and saw that the words had been written by the famous American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
I went home and did some research.
I discovered that hymn books remove two of the verses that were originally written by the famous poet.
The verses are removed because they have references to the American Civil War.
Mr. Longfellow wrote the poem on Christmas Day in 1864, when the war had affected nearly everyone in the country.
Unfortunately, the great poet was no exception.
Three months after the war had begun, in July of 1861, tragedy struck the Longfellow family.
Francis Longfellow had just trimmed some of seven-year-old Edith’s hair. Mrs. Longfellow then decided to preserve some of the clippings in sealing wax. While melting a bar of sealing wax with a candle, a few drops of the super heated wax fell on Fanny’s dress. The hot wax ignited the dress, swallowing the beloved wife and mother in flames.
Fanny ran to Henry in the next room. Henry grabbed a small throw rug and wrapped it around his wife, attempting to smother the flames. Unsuccessful, he finally wrapped his arms around his wife in a last attempt to stop the fire.
Henry’s attempt not only burned his face, hands, and arms severely; the effort to save his wife had failed.
Fanny Longfellow died the next morning.
Because of his injuries and his unbearable grief, Henry was unable to attend his wife’s funeral.
Two years later, Charles, Henry’s oldest son, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church. This happened the month before Christmas in 1863.
It is no surprise there is no entry in Mr. Longfellow’s journal for the Christmas of 1863.
Still grieving over the events of the past few years, Henry put his famous pen to paper on Christmas Day in 1864.
This poem is the result.
Jean Baptiste Calkin added the music in 1872.
Mr. Longfellow heard his words in music for a decade, until his death in 1882.
The words have inspired many, as they have me in 2010.
May God give you a peace that passes all understanding, like He did to Mr. Longfellow, throughout this Christmas season.
Chris Reimers
(Composed on Christmas Day, 1864)
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.
I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’ unbroken song
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
‘Til, 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!
————————————————————–
“I Heard the Bells” with commentary by Pastor Bill Mitchell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUdAo3N0iEA
“I Heard the Bells” by Rod Kim (Operation Christmas Child)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_IXSiHF4cU
The story behind “I Heard the Bells”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvJdmMG6VWk
Johnny Cash sings “I Heard the Bells”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcP8xvgwucs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJFZ1y_o9p4
This is Sarah McLachlan’s version:
Posted by Chris 
2013-2014
December 31, 2013How many interesting things happened in your life in 2013? For me, 2013 was all about new people whom I met. I’ve met some wonderful people in life and through cyberspace. I would like to share my “big moments” of 2013. This not a chronological list.
There are several people whom I met through blogging who have become friends. Chris (Delight in Truth) and Sherryn (The Narrowing Path) are two people whom I respect and have had fellowship with online. Their blogs are excellent. Dawnmarie decided to stop her Christian themed blog this year and has simplified life with “A Little Bit of Sugar.” I have been Inspired by the “Christian poetry of Deborah Ann,” and the life of Gregory and his blog “Through the Eyes of this Calvinist.” Although I’ve known her since college, “Mrs. Acuna’s Blog” was also added to my blog roll this year. “M’kayla’s korner” is another blog added because of its informative content and m’Kayla’s knowledge of false teachings. I have continued to follow Kassey’s “Ponder Anew.” Although we are no longer working together, we keep in touch here and via Facebook.
It would be wrong to leave out Manny’s blog “Cracked Pot.” He has recently posted lengthy articles about Calvinism and he has been on my blog roll almost since the beginning.
Many interesting people were met through these blogs. Austin, whom I met at Sherryn’s blog, and I have been emailing back and forth. These people come from as close as my own state of Arkansas (Gregory) to a friend in Hong Kong (Lest). Others are from Australia, England, Romania, etc.
It was also nice to get reacquainted with Barbara Anable this year. I have known Barbara, who lives in the same city, for years and somehow we lost connection when I changed the theme of the blog. She has contributed posts in both Wings of the Winds.
The blog hasn’t had as many hits since I went with a more Christian theme. That is just fine with me. The “politically conservative” (whatever that is these days) Wings of the Wind that dealt with local and national politics was successful. I am more concerned these days with spiritual matters and will throw in something that relates to politics when I think it is important. I plan on continuing with Christian material and will continue to try and get up 12 posts a month.
I joined a theological discussion group on Facebook.
I joined a creationist/evolutionist discussion group on Facebook.
I really enjoy the theological group, but the origins group gets quite heated at times. If one goes, it’ll be that one.
I also started playing a strategy game online this year. It started as a joke as my son had the game and I gave it a try with a name taken from my middle name: Lavern. My son had called himself Granticus so I became Lavernicus. I have met people from all over the world through this game. It is a real time historical strategy game and I have made quite a few mostly young friends there. I like the game because it has a good filter for nasty words, there is no blood, and it helps keep my mind active. No word searches for me, thank you. I see it as chess. I am an average player. I don’t spend much time there as I’m a busy guy, but it’s the only game I play and have come to enjoy the company of several players. I want to thank them for understanding that I’m a Christian and for listening to me when asked about my faith. Jews and Muslims also play. There are Christians who play. Servant2Lord has his own YouTube channel and has put up a few of my games. Feudal Lord lives only an hour from me whereas Servant lives in New Zealand. Thanks to Gualtiruzzo (ruzzo), Rob, Vladek, Aleric, Kocha Panda (Panda), kingedawg (king), Friedrich Smith (FS), Iron Price, Quetzalcoatl (Quetz), Schoob57, Marco Polo, Shin, bear, Granticus22 and many others whom I will add as I think of them. Thank you for putting up with my Christian discussions as you were organizing games. I hope we both learned something. I plan on not playing as much in 2014 because I must keep up on the changes in the world that relate to my Christian beliefs.
On the home front, if you are still reading this, there have been changes. I am now teaching in a substitute capacity. My son is in college. My daughter got a job working with kids at a church.
There are some things that don’t change. Like the love of God, my wife of 32 years continues to stay the same. I am a very blessed man in so many ways.
That about sums up my 2013. Please feel free to comment and share things that happened in your life this year.
God’s blessings to all…
Chris Reimers
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