MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2024

 MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2024 - CHRISTMAS THEME

Two more days to Christmas - Peace on Earth, goodwill to men

From the Bible (Isaiah 9) and as a song - we talk of "Peace on Earth goodwill to Men."

We talk of peace and love. This poem from Longfellow tries to understand war and peace.

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!

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!"

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."

******

This poem was written during the American Civil War. Hen y Wadsworth Longfellow wrote "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" during the American Civil War, specifically on Christmas Day, 1863, while grappling with the devastating news that his son, Charles, had been severely wounded in battle, leaving him profoundly distressed and questioning the meaning of peace and goodwill amidst the war's violence. Thi personal tragedy, combined with the broader societal turmoil, heavily influenced the poem's melancholic tone, contrasting the traditional Christmas message of peace with the harsh realities of war. His wife, Fannie, had died when her dress caught fire. Hen y tried to extinguish the fire by smothering the flame with his body, but it was too late.

How could there be a loving God - with warfare all around them (the Civil War was brutal - there weren't the MASH (Military Army Surgical Hospitals) and quick medical help. Man died of dysentery and non-warfare reasons.  

Longfellow penned, "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong, And mocks the song. Of eace on earth, goodwill to men!" Hate is still strong - and hate still mocks the song of peace on earth.  

But in the last stanza, he wrote, "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men."

I, like Longfellow, could write that hate is strong - that wars still exist.  ut AY BEYOND ME is an infinite God that says the Messiah will be the "Prince of Peace." Maybe I'm wrong to write that "LOVE WINS" - but I believe that I must work towards that goal.  

Another Messiah chorus asks, "Why do the nations so furiously rage together?" 

(Karen adds - because we are flawed people - people that find it easier to hate than to love)

******

So, never-the-less, LOVE WINS - LOVE WILL WIN - THE RIGHT PREVAIL.

Karen Anne White, December 23, 2024