from Hymncharts arranger Don Chapman:
My arrangement of I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day brings this classic into the modern worship world. But not every hymn easily fits into a standard worship set, no matter how contemporary the arrangement. This is especially true with Christmas hymns that have deeper, more contemplative lyrics.
I arranged I Heard the Bells with ambient pads and guitars, giving it that ethereal, cinematic feel that works so well in today’s worship. But even with those contemporary elements, it still carries that distinct hymn feel that makes it better suited as a standalone piece rather than part of a flowing praise set. I suggest isolating it – using it as a call to worship or to close a Christmas Eve / Christmas day service.
How to Use I Heard the Bells in Your Christmas Eve Worship Service
Notice the intro is similar to my popular new This Is Christ the King – a new melody for What Child Is This. These songs are meant to be used together in the same service, and are a part of my upcoming This Is Christ the King Christmas Service Guide. They share similar atmospheric intros with that melodic back-and forth-riff. Try them as bookends in your Christmas service – maybe open with “Bells” to set a reflective tone, then close with “This Is Christ the King” to bring it all together.
The Timeless Message of I Heard the Bells: From Civil War to Modern Worship
Longfellow penned these words during the darkest days of the Civil War, after his wife died in a tragic accident and his son was severely wounded in battle. When he wrote “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men,” he wasn’t just writing poetry – he was living it.
Fast forward 160 years, and these words still hit home. Whether it’s global conflicts, political division, or personal struggles, that same cry of “peace on earth” feels just as relevant today. But just like Longfellow, we can hear those Christmas bells proclaiming “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.”
That’s why I love introducing this hymn to a new generation. When your congregation sings “then pealed the bells more loud and deep,” they’re joining voices with believers across centuries who’ve found hope in these same words. Even in our own tumultuous times, those bells still ring true.
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Get this arrangement of I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day only at Hymncharts.com and Worshiphymns.com – you won’t find this fresh take anywhere else! As the arranger, I’m offering this new version exclusively on my sites.
