• Anthology of Poems to Uplift and Inspire,  Blog

    Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

    This is one of my favorite poems from Longfellow. It is a truly classical reading that has endured through time. Every time I read it, I feel more hopeful, grateful, and at peace.

    This beautiful season reminds us of life’s richest blessings – family, friends, and loved ones who fill our hearts with warmth and affection. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and that your home be filled with love and blessings you so richly deserve.


    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! 

    It was as if an earthquake rent
    The hearth-stones of a continent,
        And made forlorn
        The households born
    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.”

    – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

    Photo by Andrew Seaman 

  • Blog

    A Parisian Winter Tale

    As we approach this wonderful time of year, I find myself enveloped in beautiful stories that depict what this season is all about. Themes of gratitude, love, service, and family, are just a few that come to mind. Every year I revisit the same traditional stories: It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, until one year I discovered this particular story…A Parisian Winter Tale. I don’t remember when I made the delightful discovery, but I’m happy I did.

    A Parisian Winter Tale written by writer Tatiana de Rosnay and animated by Montblanc. There is an entire video on the art form of how this story was animated, and you’ll have to be sure to watch that one too. There is no doubt the animation process that occurred in making this short film is an entire art form in itself.

    I hope you’ll enjoy this beautiful story as much as I do. It is exquisitely romantic, and has become a wonderful addition to my list of Christmas traditions.

    Let me know what you think!

    Xx, Katie

    Photo by Celine Ylmz on Unsplash