In 1863, when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned “Christmas Bells,” his personal and communal world were wrought with grief. Henry’s second wife of 18 years had died two years earlier in a house fire, a freak accident started with a candle. America was at war, and none remained untouched by the pervasive loss of life, and the decimation of land. Henry’s own son had returned home, mortally wounded in battle. This was after he had enlisted in the Union army without his father’s knowledge, and left home without a goodbye. Henry was feeling the weariness of war and of personal grief. Where can one find peace in the midst of battles, both inner and outer?

Henry pondered this, first writing:

Wrestling with the dissonance between those old familiar carols and his embattled, embittered world, he responds:

In Henry’s dialogue with the Christmas bells, the bells have the final word.

Right will prevail. Peace will prevail.

It is possible for the world to be at peace, and for me to experience inner turmoil. But this poem also reminds me that it is possible for the world to be in turmoil, and yet for me to find inner peace–peace that makes no sense, peace that passes understanding. It is a peace that is born of faith, faith that what is unseen and eternal transcends what is seen and temporary.

God, this day, grant us peace. We long to receive your peace, a peace that is not as the world gives, but a peace that drives out fear, that we may serve you with courage. Amen.

Today’s devotional was written by Greta Smith and read by Amy Large.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.