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Acclaimed poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is the acknowledged author of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”.

On the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of BETHLEHEM. The candle represents peace and the journey to Bethlehem and preparations to accept and receive Christ.

Do you want peace this Christmas? Christ is the PRINCE OF PEACE who has come to save this world and bring peace to one and all!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

For a refresher course on what Advent is, check out my advent playlist!

Suggested Reading: Advent Playlist: 25 Christmas Hymns

Advent Playlist – 25 Christmas Hymns

1. A Strange Way to Save the World

2. Angel Gabriel

3. Angels From the Realms of Glory

4. Christ is the World’s True Light

5. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

6. The Crown of Roses

7.  E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come

8. Gesu Bambino

9. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Acclaimed poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is the acknowledged author of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”.

The hymn, while joyful in nature, was born out of anguish and tragedy. Longfellow had lost a wife to an accidental fire and had heard his son had been injured in the Civil War when he wrote “Christmas Bells” on Christmas Day 1863. His anguish and understanding of “Peace on Earth” are best illustrated in the conclusion of the poem –

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.”

i heard the bells on christmas day.   i heard the bells on christmas day. of peace on earth good will to men.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Lyrics –

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace of earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’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.


Scripture Reading for Day 9 of Advent –

Luke 2:13-14 (King James Version)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Micah 5:2-5 (English Standard Version)

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.

Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.

And he shall be their peace.


Advent Playlist – Days 10 to 25

10. I Wonder as a Wander

11. Jesus Christ The Apple Tree

12. The King Shall Come

13. The Little Drummer Boy

14. Mary, Do You Know?

15. O Come, All Ye Faithful

16. O Come,O Come, Emmanuel

17. O Holy Night

18. O Little Town of Bethlehem

19. Once in Royal David’s City

20. People, Look East

21. Silent Night

22. Sweet Little Jesus Boy

23. There Stood in Heaven a Linden Tree

24. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

25. Whence is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?

Continue the Conversation

Please join me this Advent Season as I share these beloved hymns and the stories and Scriptures that go with them. Enjoy and a very Happy Christmas to all.

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