Advent Devotional for December 22nd

CHRISTMAS BELLS

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(written on Christmas Day, 1864)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet their words repeat of peace on earch, 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 earch, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way, they 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 from the South, and the sound the carols drowned of peace on earch, 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!"

Pat & Lawrence Schneider, First UMC - Iraan