Countdown to Christmas 2024 Midweek Week 9 - Christmas Bells

November 20, 2024

Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini is a beautiful, heartwarming novel that blends past and present in a way that makes you feel all the Christmas feels. The story is centered around Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem “Christmas Bells,” which he wrote during a dark time in American history—the Civil War—when he was struggling with personal tragedy and the pain of the nation’s conflict.

Christmas Concert

The book moves back and forth between Longfellow’s life in the 1860s and the present day, where a choir in Boston is preparing for a Christmas concert featuring the poem set to music. In the present-day storyline, you meet a variety of characters, each dealing with their own personal challenges and heartaches, but all connected through the uplifting power of the choir and the spirit of the season. The stories intertwine beautifully, showing how hope, love, and resilience can shine through even the toughest times—just like Longfellow’s poem.

Fun Trivia

Fun trivia: Longfellow’s poem “Christmas Bells” was actually written in 1863 during the Civil War after he’d suffered personal losses, including his wife’s tragic death. His words, “I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old, familiar carols play,” have become an iconic part of Christmas celebrations ever since. Chiaverini’s novel draws on this real historical context to show how timeless the poem’s message of hope is.

Christmas Bells is perfect for anyone who loves stories that mix history with heartfelt modern-day moments. It’s a great reminder that, no matter the era, Christmas can bring peace, hope, and connection. Plus, it’s a cozy holiday read that gives you a little dose of literary history!