This sermon’s title is from “Christmas Poem” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a poem that became the Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” The carol contains the refrain “with peace on earth, good will to men,” a phrase from the Gospel Luke 2:1-14. Many people think of this song as an optimistic affirmation of peace and good will, but it also expresses a darker vision. Longfellow wrote the poem when he was depressed and had suffered personal tragedies. Also, it was a time of violence, chaos, division and racism — the height of the Civil War. Since we today still suffer from violence, chaos, division and racism, I believe this poem is a good text to study to help us to understand our own times and to find some sliver of hope.

Topics: Current Events, Mind & Spirit