ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2025, we’re presenting words to one version of the popular Christmas song “I Heard the Bells”– recorded famously by Johnny Cash and many others– because they express the way many of us may be feeling. (The words were originally written by Henry Longfellow in 1864, at the time of the Civil War, a crisis worse than anything we’re experiencing.)

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play;
In music sweet the tones repeat,
“There’s peace on earth, good will to men.”
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’ 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 doubt He sleeps
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
With peace on earth goodwill to men
Till ringin’ singin’ on its way
The world revolve from night to day
A voice a chime a chance so blind
Of peace on earth goodwill to men
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor doubt He sleeps
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
With peace on earth goodwill to men.

Merry Christmas from Karl and Kathleen!