Caroling, Caroling: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Here's the thing: this is a song I don't really ever remember singing growing up, but when I heard Steven Curtis Chapman's version from his album All I Really Want for Christmas, it just hit me between the eyes, and now it's one of my favorites.

I'm not going to comment on each line of this one, but I'll tell you how I see this song. I see the bells as the music of the gospel. When I think about it that way, the entire song makes sense to me. So, try listening to it and see if it resonates with you the same way.

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.

And 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.

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.

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.”