Do you know the story behind this Christmas song?

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s life was anything but easy. 

In 1861, his wife, Fanny, died in a fire at their home. Henry tried desperately to save her, suffering burns on his own hands and face in the process, but she was lost. His burns were so severe that they prevented him from attending her funeral. 

She was buried on the morning of their 18th wedding anniversary.

The pain of her death left him devastated, disfigured, and unable to write. 

Then, only two years later, his oldest son, Charles, who had snuck off to fight for the Union without his father’s consent, was gravely wounded and nearly paralyzed.  

Longfellow’s grief and despair were so heavy that he once wrote in his journal that he saw “no peace on Earth.”

But one Christmas morning, something changed. 

The story goes that he sat at his desk watching his children whisking through the snow in a horse-drawn sleigh. That sight, coupled with the sound of church bells ringing through the crisp winter air, stirred him.

Their message of—”peace on Earth, goodwill to men”—challenged his hopelessness.

He dipped pen in ink, and began to write. 

The words that flowed became a hymn of hope, and peace, and resilience. 

Hope, even when all seemed lost. Even when great tragedy threatened to take away all that was good in the world. Even when a great war divided a nation. 

It’s no surprise that Longfellow’s poem, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, has endured for so long. Born out of heartbreak, hopelessness, and loss, its message of the promise of a brighter future, in spite of it all, comforts countless aching souls each holiday season. 

Like many of us, Longfellow found hope in his faith and his family.

Our families are the anchor that keep us tethered to hope.They remind us that we have something worth fighting for—even when the world around us might be dark and difficult.

The power of family is an undeniable force for good. 

And that’s precisely why, throughout history, those who crave power have worked so hard to weaken the family.

When families are strong, they protect each other from the lies and manipulations of those who seek control. Strong parents teach their children to think for themselves, to stand up for truth, and to refuse to be led astray by propaganda or fear. 

That makes the family a direct threat to those who want unquestioned power.

This is why anti-family messaging is everywhere. It is by design. 

When parents are sidelined—by schools, by media, or by anti-family government policies—it becomes easier to shape the next generation into obedient followers rather than independent thinkers. 

Those who would tear down all that is true and right and hopeful know this simple truth: families are the most powerful force for good in the world.

That’s why everything we do at the Tuttle Twins is aimed at strengthening families. 

Our books, resources, and parent guides are designed to help you raise kids who think critically, embrace virtue, and hold fast to the values that matter most. 

They also always include representations of strong family bonds, where parents and kids respect and listen to each other, and where they actually all enjoy being together.

This week we’re doing something special. We’re giving every family access to some of our Tuttle Times magazine content, specifically designed to help build strong, resilient families—for free!

Five Days of Freebies

Every day this week, we’re giving away a resource to say thank you for being part of our Tuttle Twins family. 

Today’s freebie is a 13-page download packed with stories and activities for you and your kids to enjoy together. Here’s what’s inside:

• A heartwarming story from our Tuttle Times magazine about the importance of presence over presents—not just during the holidays, but all year long.
• Fun activities to spark meaningful conversations with your kids.

This is just the first gift of the week—there are four more to come, so be sure to check our blog and social media each day to see what’s next!

Families are the key to a brighter, freer future. They always have been, and they always will be. 

The hymns and stories of Christmastime remind us of the strength we find in the people we love—and how that strength can help us face even the hardest challenges.

Thank you for being part of this mission with us. Thanks for letting us help you raise a generation of kids who will make the world a better place.

I know that the most meaningful work is always done at home, so thanks especially for all you do.

— Connor