The wrong will fail, the right prevail....

I learned something new today. So by the raise of hands, how many of you know the History behind "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"? Well, apparently, the words come from a poem composed by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the Civil War. Longfellow had received word that his son had been maimed in the war and wrote the words in response to the turmoil of that time. Two stanzas have been omitted form the Christmas carol that bring new insight to the meaning of the words.

"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."

Call me a hopeless optimist, but I truly believe that despite whatever circumstances, that the Lord is in charge, that Wrong shall fail, and ultimately Right shall prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.

Merry Christmas