I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

"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."

This carol has been a favorite of many for years. It is a beautiful song that really embodies the idea of Christmas bells. (See the History of Christmas Bells.)  This song was originally a poem that was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow after his oldest son was severely wounded in the civil war and after his wife had passed away. He penned these words on Christmas day of 1864.

In many ways, even after a tragedy, people find peace in the sound of bells and have been doing so for over 3000 years.