Like everyone else, I could not believe the evil that occurred at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. How could someone shoot defenseless, innocent children, especially so close to Christmas? The shooter was Evil personified! As I thought about this tragedy, I thought of a poem by Longfellow that has been put to music as a Christmas carol. While acknowledging evil, the poem points to the ultimate triumph of good over evil. May it increase the flame of hope in your heart as it does mine.
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.
I 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.
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.”
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!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)