Penned from his own anguish, Longfellow’s faith emerged victorious. I pray that as we hear the Christmas bells, we acknowledge all the Lord has done for us. And from grateful hearts, we share His love with others.
May this story warm and stir your heart…
On Christmas Day in 1863 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow continued to grieve the death of his beloved second wife Fannie who had died two years prior when her housedress caught fire. Longfellow himself tried to extinguish those flames with his own body but Fannie did not survive the accident. Because of his burns, Longfellow couldn’t attend the funeral.
During the subsequent two years Henry’s oldest son would enlist in the Union army to fight in the Civil War. On December 1 of that year, Henry would receive a telegram that his son had been shot during a battle of the Mine Run campaign. The location of the exit wound from the bullet would put his son at risk of being paralyzed.
This widowed father of six exhibited deep concern for his children, his country, his very life while cannons thundered in the south. It’s hard to imagine exactly what he felt when he heard the bells tolling on that Christmas Day. We know this wasn’t Longfellow’s first epic poetic endeavor. But, at this time of year, maybe even especially this year, we can put aside the hurts and hardships, and glide above the layers of morass, and choose hope and faith – just as Longfellow had done.
Please enjoy his music and poem. God bless you.
Posted by Amre Cortadino
To leave a comment, please click on the title above, THE BELLS LONGFELLOW HEARD, and scroll down. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
No worries, friend! As Paul Harvey used to say – and now you know the rest of the news. Merry Christmas!! 🙂
Erma,
I had no idea that Longfellow wrote this! I lead a sheltered life I guess.
Rich
Glad you enjoyed Longfellow’s wonderful words!! Merry Christmas! 🙂
Amen – and because He lives, we do too!! Merry Christmas!! 🙂
It is an amazing, powerful story!! So glad he told it! Merry Christmas!! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it!! Merry Christmas! 🙂
Amen, and Merry Christmas to you too!!! 🙂
Amen!! God is sovereign and in Him, in the midst of despair, there is hope!! Merry Christmas!
This is one of my most favorite Christmas hymns. It speaks of the despair we feel when we see all the evil in the world, then renews our hope with the last verse that reminds us God is sovereign and that good will win out. Thank you for sharing, Amre!
Thank you, Amre. God bless your Christmas.
So touching! I did not know the story of the song! Thank you so much for posting it!
I love this! I hadn’t known the history behind the song, and it makes the reading of it a powerful experience. Thank you!
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.”
The words still ring true.
Thank you, Erma!
Wow! I had no idea of the story behind the song. Knowing what Longfellow was going through adds so much more beauty to his words. It definitely brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for your inspiring and uplifting post.
Thanks for stopping by, Mary Pat!! Especially in this day and age, we think we’re the only ones going through hardships. Not so… Merry Christmas, dear friend!! 🙂
Thank you for sharing. I had never heard this story. Yes, victory out of his deep anguish. So glad he knew that.