“Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away. Christmas is here, bringing good cheer.”
Christmas bells are part of the holiday tradition- they are on sleighs, and in movies, and hand bells rung by the Salvation Army! We sing Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day and Carol of the Bells. Bells have been a part of heralding in the season, and bell ringing around the church is part of the Christmas time experience. It is thought that bell-ringing in winter stems from the Pagan tradition of scaring away evil spirits at night, but that motive was forgotten and festive bell-ringing was introduced in celebrations and announcements - such as the beginning of a church service.
The bell song I love the most is Carol of the Bells. I love all versions, and I love finding a new one to listen to so I can add it to my collection! Some are sung with lyrics, some are solely instrumental. We even sang it in our LPC choir years ago- and it was a fast version and quite hard to sing! Turns out, the music was originally written by a Ukrainian named Mykola Leontovych and was later adapted to the words that we know in 1936. There is a charming old Slavic legend that when Jesus was born, at midnight, all the bells of the earth started to ring of their own accord. There are at least 3 versions of this song, but the best is proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ! “Ring, Christmas Bells, Merrily Ring, Tell all the world: Jesus is King! Loudly proclaim with one accord, the happy tale: Welcome the Lord”. Here is the YouTube address for the version sung by Andy Williams. It is slower, so you can understand and enjoy the words! https://youtu.be/BSUa1ykrmMo-
The hope of Jesus Christ, born on Christmas day, offers the love that is victorious over all the wrongs on this earth and offers us peace. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day always strikes my heart with it’s poignancy. Written by the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the words lead you to hope, then despair, and then back to hope. Henry’s son was wounded in battle during the Civil War, and the words reflect his agony and pain, but those verses about the Civil War are often struck due to their darkness. However, there is a resounding note of great hope in his 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 toward men. “
Although not with bells, a great company of the heavenly host and the angels loudly sang their song, too, proclaiming in Luke 2:13-14- "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angels, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those whom His favor rests.'”
In Psalm 160: 1-6 we are called to praise the Lord with not just bells, but all manner of instruments: "Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!"
Make a Joyful Noise this season! Ring the Bells! Praise the Lord! Tell the world! Jesus, the King, is born!