Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
Last month, my wife and I took the opportunity to go on a date. We decided to take in a movie entitled “I Heard the Bells.” The storyline chronicled how poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow came to write the poem that eventually turned in to a popular Christmas carol. After seeing the movie, I was intrigued by the portrayal of Longfellow’s life, decided to do a little research, and familiarize myself with his writings. The result of that exploration revealed that, while he was considered the most popular poet of that time, Longfellow also lived a real and relatable life.
Without giving away the entire story line, he lived a simple yet very happy life. He experienced family struggles, grief and healing. He was drawn into the conflict created by a charged political and social climate. He grappled with keeping promises and addressing teen rebellion. Longfellow was a widower and single father after tragic circumstances took his second wife, whom he described as the inspiration for his poetry and his life. His faith wavered. His hope for the future was lost.
Over the past few years, we have experienced much of the same. The pandemic turned our world upside down. Social distancing forced many to abandon the sense of community we previously enjoyed. We became distant from our neighbors, friends, and church community. Our ministry and mission suffered.
In the early morning hours of December 25, 1863, while still wrestling with his hopelessness and grief, Longfellow heard the bells of the local church ringing. Justin Taylor, executive vice president for book publishing and publisher for books at Crossway Publishing, explained in his blog that Longfellow heard these bells and “the singing of ‘peace on earth’ (Luke 2:14), but he observed the world of injustice and violence that seemed to mock the truthfulness of this optimistic outlook” (Taylor, 2014). Longfellow recognized this contrast in his own life and in our nation and began to pen the words of the poem that eventually became the Christmas carol: words that lead the reader or listener to understand that peace and hope can be found despite the despair surrounding us.
Last month, we celebrated the birth of our Savior. And, Scripture tells us He came as the Prince of Peace. The angels sang about it. His ministry was filled with the message of peace. Scripture tells us, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). And, when Jesus arose from the dead, He spoke of it saying, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).
In 1838, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow also wrote the poem, “A Psalm of Life,” in which he encourages readers to make the best of their life. It speaks of having a purpose despite the messiness around us and ends with a call to action.
“Let us then be up and doing,/ With a heart for any fate;/ Still achieving, still pursuing,/ Learn to labor and to wait.” (Longfellow, 1838)
We have heard the bells ringing and the carolers singing. We have been assured there is peace in knowing and following Jesus. As you begin the New Year, let this message fill your heart. Return to your mission and ministry. And, being commissioned, go out and take action to spread the message that:
“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.’” (Longfellow, Christmas Bells, 1863)
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