I want to tell you the story behind the song;
"Peace on Earth and Goodwill to men."
It was written 139 years ago.
In 1861;
Henry Longfellow's wife Fanny, was cutting their 5 year old daughter Edith's long golden curly hair.
As she cut, she put aside locks of curls, to be sent to family and friends as gifts for the new year.
The types of envelops, that they had back then, were not the same as today's modern envelopes.
The only way, that they could sealed shut, was with hot sealing wax.
As Fanny was lighting and and dripping the hot wax onto the envelop flaps, she accidentally dropped a burning match onto her long dress.
It ignited almost instantly, and she was engulfed in flames as her dress burned.
Screaming, and not knowing what to do, she flailed about...
Henry heard her screams, and ran into the house, seeing Fanny burning.
He grabbed her, and fell to the floor with her, burning himself in the process.
He then rolled her into the floor rug, trying to put her out...
She was gravely burned over her entire body.
She died, three hours later...
Longfellow was so despondent, and filled with grief, plus being bed ridden from his own injuries,
he could not get out of bed, to attend her funeral.
During his grieving period, the civil was started.
along with it, his fervent hopes for abolition of slavery by peaceful means.
His eldest son, Charles, slipped away and joined the Union Army.
Later he was severely injured, when a bullet went through his chest and out the back,
clipping his spine, leaving him mostly paralyzed.
Longfellow was informed, and he went to his aid, and then brought him home to recuperate.
During the long days and nights as his son hovered between life and death, Longfellow's faith in God waived.
It seemed his family had been wasted, the war was useless and God was dead.
In short, he suffered the same torment many folks do today when the birth of Jesus-Son of God-is challenged, and the conduct
of the Iraq and Afghan Wars doubted.
As Longfellow sat nursing his son through a long Christmas eve, he reflected upon the meaning of life.
At daybreak he roused from his inner search by the sounds of church bells announcing Christmas Day.
He responded with the following poem, which then became a song;
Perhaps you can find inspiration in it, and carry it on into another Year...
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 day had gone
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, and 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 loud and deep:
"god is not dead; nor doeth He sleep!
"The wrong shall fail,
"The right prevail,
With peace on earth, goodwill to men!
With that, I want to wish you all,
a Happy Holiday, and Peace on Earth.
With love; Rene'
