Peace on Earth, Good-Will to Men

Christmas Bells
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play,     And wild and sweet     The words repeat Of peace on earth, 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 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! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South,     And with the sound     The carols drowned Of peace on earth, 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.

An amazing poem, and a beautiful song - takes on fresh meaning today. I'm not an overly emotional person - maybe even underly emotional at times, if that's a thing. But when it comes to children - I can't stand it, I can't hold it in, I can't hide it. I feel the pain of those parents, those teachers, those scared children, I think their tortured thoughts, I picture their terrified faces. I am not ready to comfort myself and be done with the sorrow. But I needed this - this reminder that God IS NOT DEAD NOR DOTH HE SLEEP. He is aware, He is present, He too is hurting. Only HE can bring about peace on earth.

The McConnel's are praying for Newtown, Connecticut.