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."
During the Civil War, Longfellow wrote Christmas Bells, which would later become the basis for the Christmas carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. It's one of my favorite carols, and it was only recently I found out that it was based upon his famous poem.
As I read through the verses, I realized how much I was moved by his words and sentiments. We're not technically in a civil war, but the divisions within the country run deep. As we close out the second year of the pandemic and move into 2022, there are still many unknowns as to what we will be facing next year with the virus and its aftermath.
Despite everything, the Christmas Bells ring loudly in my heart and soul. I hold onto and cherish the words in the final verse:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."
Have a listen if you'd like, to my fav version of this song:
Wishing you glad tidings of comfort & joy this Christmas! It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
From Our Home to Yours...Happy Holidays! 🎀🎄
I can't tell you how much joy and cheer you all have brought to me this year. It's been a delight to know you and exchange more than a few giggles! My biggest wish is that perhaps we can meet in person one day soon! #ChristmasWish
Until then, from Gemma, Kyle, Auntie Pippa, Mama, Max, Elliot, Figgy, Aunt Margaret and the twins plus Rikkhe and her friends and family...We wish you a very, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
XOXO 💖👑
A plum pudding mystery this week from the writers of Twitter...
Author Agatha Christie, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, 5⭐
The promise of a traditional, English Christmas at a fine manor house--with warm, central heating, is just the thing to motivate Hercule Poirot to take on this Christmastime case. A young prince is in diplomatic hot water for lending a family jewel to a woman who seized the opportunity to steal it. An international scandal is ready to break, will Hercule be able to save the day, and the prince's reputation?
The Lacey's manor offers a snowy retreat for our favorite, Belgian detective, complete with mysterious guests, mischievous pranks, a dire warning ("DON'T EAT NONE OF THE PLUM PUDDING. ONE WHO WISHES YOU WELL."), and a trick or two in the Christmas snow. Author Christie once again weaves an intriguing holiday whodunnit that will please your little gray cells, highly recommended!
Next up in the 2022 #reading queue (yes, the first #BookReview of 2022 will be in the Jan 5th post--a perfect read to start the New Year!)
Award season is coming---My Top 3 Books for 2021 is announced in next week's post, Dec 29th!
I'm sixty-four books in for my Goodreads challenge for 2021, what a year of great reads! Mysteries, paranormal and sci-fi tales were the majority, with a dash of poetry thrown in for good measure. You can see the books I've read (and reviewed) here:
In next week's post, it will be my third year of stepping out on a limb and choosing my top 3 reads of the year. There were many top contenders for sure--but three authors had stories that simply blew me away...stay tuned to see who had the Top 3 Books for 2021! #Excited
If you'd like to check out the authors and their books selected in 2019 and 2020, just click on the pictures below to hear from these fine writers! 👇
For 2020: #Authors Colin Powell, Elijah Barns & Kerri Davidson
And for 2019: #Authors Lindsay Holton, D.B. Carter & Bibiana Krall
Welcome to my world. Wishing you a very, Merry, Happy Christmas to you and yours and #Blessings of the season!
Crowns and Kisses.
Veronica
P.S. May all your Christmas wishes and dreams come true. Bruce and I (and Daisy and Ebbie) hope you have a lovely, holiday weekend! Gemma and Rikkhe most definitely approve! 💖👑 #MerryChristmas 🎀🎄
*Photo courtesy of Pinterest--to me this is Gemma and Kyle at Christmas!