Christmas Bells Poem Dedicated to Armed Forces

Christmas Bells poem, one of many famous poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an American educator, poet, and father of five children. Many of his poems focused on history historical events. One poem of Longfellow’s you may recognize is “Paul Revere’s Ride,” a call for courage with the coming of the Civil War in the 1860’s.

When I read Christmas Bells, a poem written by Longfellow during the Civil War, I thought of those that unselfishly fight for our rights and those of others throughout the world.

If you would like to send Christmas cards to service men and women overseas, contact your local Red Cross Chapter. See below for some guidelines for sending cards.

I am dedicating Christmas Bells poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, to all the men and women serving in the Armed Forces who fearlessly protect our rights and freedom. God Bless You All!  You might also want to read Love Poem to Loved One Serving in Armed Forces.

Christmas Bells Poem

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!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
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!’

American Red Cross Guidelines for Sending Christmas Cards

• Ensure that all cards are signed.
• Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
• Only cards are being accepted. Do not send letters.
• Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
• Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
• Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors.
• If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.