Words of Hope: Merry Christmas
One Christmas Season, Dad felt at the apex of frustration with his stage four cancer diagnosis. Worn out and weary to the bone, he tried to navigate both the physical and emotional work of managing his pain. He wrestled with this privately as he made his way to my house on Christmas Eve.
At the long, crowded dinner table, he felt nauseous and discouraged as he struggled to find a comfortable seated position all the while braving a smile as our happy family talked together in lively conversation around the meal.
Quietly, he slipped out of his chair and went by himself to lay down on the floor in front of the Christmas tree. Wondering if this was his last Christmas, he lay silently praying and working to manage both pain and grief.
All of us in the family stayed busy talking, passing food, and rushing to and fro, when one of the very young children noticed her grandfather’s absence. She searched and found him lying by the Christmas tree.
She rushed to him, cradled his head and rocked him slightly back and forth. Then she sang softly to him going through a list of all his favorite songs. The family came in to find him with tears running down either sides of his cheeks as the little girl held his head gently saying, “I am singing to heal Papa.”
Do songs heal us?
One of the most healing songs ever sung announced the good news of the arrival of light in darkness, hope in despair, eternity in the temporal cares of the world. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will to mankind.”
We find that songs do heal us. Surprising research documents that singing together as teams and families significantly reduces anxiety, creates better mood, leads to greater social connection and belonging and can in some cases significantly help with pain management.
Do the songs matter?
Actually, yes. Words are powerful and what you sing can influence your mood. Not surprisingly depressing songs lead to more depression but inspiring songs do inspire us— they breathe life into us.
What song do you need to sing right now?
What song could you share with your family?
One song that impacts our family home is the song, “I heard the bells on Christmas Day”.
The song has lyrics from a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The context of this poem is so important to understand. Longfellow lost his beloved wife Fanny when her dress caught fire. He was badly burned trying to save her. After her death, he did not celebrate Christmas for a time. Then, his son secretly signed up for the Union army against his wishes during the most violent and bloody times of the war.
Soon after enlisting, his son was severely wounded and paralyzed. Longfellow, while caring for his son on Christmas Day, experienced the idea where his poem struck him.
In 1863, part of the poem he wrote said:
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 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!”
Take a minute and listen to this Christmas song.
What despair is weighing on your heart? What lack of hope or heart of bitterness are you carrying?
And maybe even more importantly what might someone near you be silently carrying on their own, their private world of suffering or pain.
Who is someone that needs your comfort?
Who is someone who needs your song of love and care?
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
– Luke 2:10-14
– Luke 2:10-14
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