Do You Hear The Christmas Bells?
Why do we hear bells during the holiday season? I believe they send a message and we should stop to listen. America is divided on so many fronts—political strife, disparity between the rich and poor, civil discontent, racial injustice. Our great nation sometimes feels like a mess but this isn’t new news to God. Jesus was born to poor parents during difficult times. Israel was under occupation and dealt with Roman soldiers in their streets. The angels brought the message “fear not, we have good news‘. God often uses the difficult times in our lives to call us back to Himself.
The Significance of Christmas Bells
Bells have been used as a signal of beginnings and endings, a call to order or a warning. We asked one of the deacon’s to ring the church bell after our wedding ceremony. In fact, the true significance of bells at Christmas comes from the bells that used to call villagers and townsfolk to church back in the days when people didn’t wear watches or carry cell phones to keep time. Christmas bells are also used as a reiminder of the angels singing. So the ringing of a Christmas bell should call us to prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and song.
Types of Bells
We can find the use of bells as part of worship even in the Old Testament. Here, we find that bells were used and sewn onto the priestly garments. Exodus 28:34 provides the description: “a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe.” The purpose of these bells were so when the priest went into the Holy of Holies, the people outside would hear them as the priest moved around to perform his duties. If they stopped jingling, they assumed the priest had died and they would pull him out by a rope that was tied around him. (copied from Wellspring Christian Ministries Dec.8,2020)
In days past the Town Crier would ring a handbell and loudly announce the time, the news or a call to a meeting. Hand bells have long been used in choirs an
d often on their own. It takes a lot of practice and good timing to get the parts in order so the result is a beautiful melody. Why do we have bells on sleighs? They were used as a warning for other drivers on dark nights so there wouldn’t be a collision. Lastly, we are all familiar with the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. It has become synonymous with the act of giving during Christmas, reinforcing the idea that Christmas is not just a time for receiving, but also for making a difference in the lives of others.
The Bells On Christmas Day
Sight and Sound Films released I Heard The Bells in 2022. It is an inspiring true story of resounding hope and a rekindled of faith. (Watch it if you haven’t already!)
Longfellow had fallen into a depression in 1861 when his second wife Francis tragically died. Her clothes had caught on fire and Henry had rushed to her aid and tried to smother the flames. But by the time the fire was out, Frances had been burned beyond recovery. She died the next day. Henry, burned badly as well, was too sick to attend her funeral. The death marked a turning point in Longfellow’s life. His physical appearance changed dramatically as he began growing his beard because the burns disfigured his face. His oldest son Charlie had enlisted to fight in the Civil War, against his father’s wishes, and was wounded. Mentally, he sank into depression.
On Friday, December 25, 1863, Longfellow, heard the church bells ringing and wrote a poem seeking to capture the dissonance in his own heart and the world he observed around him that Christmas Day. Within a decade the poem was put to music. The theme of listening reccurs throughout the poem and ends in one of confident hope that God is alive and will bring justice and peace. Longfellow remembered that peace had come.
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Listen For The Christmas Bells
Will you quiet your heart to listen for the Christmas bells? We are so busy with our extra activities in preparing for the holiday season that we often miss the reason why we are celebrating. When you hear the bells, whether from a small jingle bell or a large church tower, stop and praise God for His many blessings. Thank Him for the greatest gift of all.
Christmas Bells (original verses 1, 6 & 7)
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 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.”
Listen to this beautiful version by Casting Crowns.
5 Comments
Maggie Wallem Rowe
Nancy, my jaw dropped open when I read your wonderful post just now, because two weeks ago I finished writing a 45 minute message for the upcoming women’s Christmas event at my church and it’s called – you guessed it – “The Bells of Christmas!” I was inspired to write it by the very same carol you quoted. The story behind it is so moving. I also loved the film that Sight and Sound released. My talk is probably already too long, but I’m tempted to add some of the points you made as well. I had forgotten about the use of bells in the OT on the priests’ robes. My most poignant memory of bells was from 9/ 14/ 01, when then President Bush called the nation to prayer after the terrorist attacks. My husband had the bells rung from our church on the Cape, and the villagers closed their shops and came to join us in prayer. Thank you for what I learned today fro you!
Nancy Smith
Great minds think alike! I wasn’t thinking of 911 but every year we “toll the bell”. I’m glad you liked it…I will have to read your blog! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Maggie Wallem Rowe
PS – i was already planning to pull from my talk to post a 3 -part series on bells on my blog during the first 3 Tuesdays of Advent, so I may quote you in an upcoming week!
Cynthia Fantasia
And several years ago I gave a Christmas message on ‘Christmas Bells’ and based it on Longfellow’s story and poem. It was our dear Cindy McDowell who shared the story with me and inspired me to base my message on ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.’ I think I gave that message a few other times.
Nancy Smith
I miss Lucinda – she was such an encourager! We loved the Sight and Sound movie. It was so well done. Thank you for reading and commenting. I hope you have a wonderful Advent season.