NOW THAT's a SWAN SONG

Have you ever heard the term “Swan Song?” It refers to the ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song in the moment just before death, having been silent or not so musical during most of their lifetime. Stemmed from Greek mythology, I find there is some metaphorical truth to this.It is often in our darkest moments that we have a decision to make regarding our circumstances. How will we respond? Because it is inevitable that when we are squeezed, something will come out—will it be a ‘song’ or simply ‘white noise?’ A particular Christmas song, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, got me thinking on this topic because I recently read the history of how this song was birthed—and interestingly it was through death. In the summer of 1861, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s wife, Frances, died tragically in a fire. The first Christmas without her, he wrote in his diary, “How inexpressibly sad are the holidays.” In 1863, as the Civil War was dragging on, Longfellow’s son joined the army against his father’s wishes and was critically injured. It was during another upcoming painful Christmas that he wrote this song. It begins as a song of desolation, but ends with these words, “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.” Now that’s a Swan Song.Another favorite song, It Is Well With My Soul, was penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford. Spafford’s life was full of tragic events.  The 1871 Great Chicago Fire ruined him financially. He took another economic hit in 1873.  He had planned to travel to Europe with his family but his plans changed due to a business matter.  He sent his family ahead.  While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank after a collision with a sea vessel, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. All FOUR!  His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he penned the song which ended with these words, “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’ Now that’s a Swan Song.As we approach the New Year, I can only testify from my own life, that whatever burdens are weighing you down--past, present, or future --no matter how dark or hopeless it may appear; that when we surrender our circumstances into God’s hands—He will put a Swan’s song into our heart. And in spite of the sadness, disappointment, or any derailed dream, our response can be the very song that will lift someone else’s burden from white noise to beautiful music.