JOANNA BECCERIL

When I was asked to write on “Hope at Christmas”, I was somewhat at a loss. Obviously, hope and Christmas are synonymous, but how can I put it in words? Henry Wadsworth Longfellow found a way. During the American Civil War, he wrote a poem that was later turned into the song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Longfellow wrote this song knowing his wife is sick and his son has left to fight with the Union army against his wishes. With a war in Ukraine, and political division in our own country, this song from a century and half ago feels true today as well.

 

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!"

But, much like 150 years ago, there is hope in the birth of Jesus. Christmas seems to put it all in perspective. The definition of Hope is the desire of a certain thing to happen. When I hear the this song, I relish the closing verse, as it signifies the Hope of Christmas to me:

 

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."