The Bells of Christmas

Sleigh bells.  Silver bells.  Jingle bells.  If the spirit of Christmas could be captured in a sound, it would be the sound of bells.  “Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say ... Christmas is here.”  The bells of Christmas tinkle and ring, clamor and clang, chime and peal, signaling the season with their merriment and good cheer.  

Whether we’re “dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh” or “dancin’ and prancin’ in jingle bell square,” the bells of Christmas fill the air.  As we “shoppers rush home with [our] treasures,” still can be heard the ring-a-ling of silver bells.  And when we’re “caroling, caroling through the snow,” through it all those “Christmas bells are ringing.”  No Christmas song – no holiday commercial – would be complete without the ubiquitous jingle jangle of bells.  

But what is it we hear as these Christmas bells chime?  Does each bell remind us that Clarence – or some other angel – has gotten his wings?  Does the clear tone of a bell entreat us to believe in the magic of Christmas for one more year?  Do we hear a familiar instrument, played in every song and at every concert?  Do we hear our own doorbells, heralding the arrival of our latest package, another guest, or a treat-bearing neighbor?  Or do we hear little more than the clang of the Salvation Army worker outside our local grocer, signaling us to avoid eye contact as we scurry inside?  

The bells of Christmas are ringing, but do we hear their message?

In a social media post, Elder David A. Bednar explained: “Bells at Christmastime symbolize the announcement of the birth of Christ when angels in heaven praised God and declared, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”

Millennia later, it can still be sung: “Ding dong merrily on high, in heav’n the bells are ringing.”  And on earth, down through the ages, the “belfries of all Christendom” still peal loud and clear: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.”  He sent His Son to earth, assuring us that “the world [will revolve] from night to day,” for the Prince of Peace has come and will yet come again.  This is the message of the bells.

Christmas is always a busy time of year.  But as we hear the bells on Christmas Day, and all throughout the season, may we remember for whom they toll.  They toll for Christ.  May each tinkling, chiming, or pealing bell remind us of Him and the peace He brings, even amid the clatter and clanging of life.  May each street corner bell remind us not to empty our wallets, but to fill our hearts with love and generosity toward our fellow man.  May each doorbell remind us of the arrival of God’s gift of His Only Begotten Son and remind us that He too should be our welcome Guest.  As we let Christ in, “above all this bustle [we’ll] hear” the bells and their message of peace on earth, good will toward men. 

“Sleigh bells ring ... are [we] listening?”

Merry Christmas!