Such a beautiful Christmas Eve service this afternoon at First Christian.
Pastor Wayne (and his wife Leslie) incorporated the Christmas standard "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" into his message, including the story of the poem's origin.
It's a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow work; you can read the tragic story behind the piece of poetry here:
My favorite line:
God is not dead, nor does he sleep
Amen!!
"Bells" is a beautiful Christmas tune, especially with the way some of the newer renditions have reworked it. 1 example is below.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
(version by Casting Crowns)
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men
And the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)
In my heart I hear them (peace on earth)
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
But the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir singing (peace on earth)
Does anybody hear them? (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men
Then 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
And the bells they're ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)
And with our hearts we'll hear them (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Do you hear the bells they're ringing? (peace on earth)
The life the angels singing (peace on earth)
Open up your heart and hear them (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men
Songwriters: John Mark Hall / Dale Oliver / Bernie Herms