Favorite Things--Day 13

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. There are so many Christmas carols to choose from. Next year my favorite one may be different. I tend to change my mind sometimes especially when there are so many. I've been familiar with this one since I was a child. However, it wasn't until Jars of Clay did a version of it a few years ago that I really paid attention to the words. The evil of this world can be so overwhelming at times and these lyrics speak to the hope that Jesus' birth brought and the encouragement that Christmas carols can bring.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet their 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 the 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."

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!