December 19, 2006

[Rev. Doc]

Peace On Earth

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14

One of America’s greatest poets is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The year 1860 found Longfellow happy in his life, enjoying a widening recognition, and elated over the election of Abraham Lincoln which he believed signaled the triumph of freedom and redemption for the nation.

The following year the Civil War began. On July 9, 1861 Longfellow’s wife, Fanny, was near an open window sealing locks of her daughter’s hair, using hot sealing wax. Suddenly her dress caught fire and engulfed her with flames. Her husband, sleeping in the next room, was awaked by her screams. As he desperately tried to put out the fire and save his wife, he was severely burned on his face and hands.

Fanny died the next day. Longfellow’s severe burns would not even allow him to attend Fanny’s funeral. His white beard, which so identified with him, was one of the results of the tragedy – the burn scars on his face made shaving almost impossible. In his diary for Christmas day 1861 he wrote, “How inexpressibly sad are the holidays.â€

[TheMelodyMaker]

I remember reading this story once before, and I keep mentioning how much I enjoy that last verse because it brings me such comfort to know that even though this fallen world is gradually getting worse all the time, the Lord is indeed in control of it all and will eventually bring about His justice on His enemies. Thank you for posting this, Rev.

[rocklobster]

I've always enjoyed that song. It comforts me in the dark times.