At Christmas time we hear a lot of bells; there are songs about sleigh bells, jingle bells, carol of the bells, church bells, silver bells…
I have an ornament on my tree that is a glass bell with a little angel as the clapper. Every time someone touches the tree the bell rings. George Bailey, from It’s a Wonderful Life, would say another angel got its wings.
But, why the bells?
I think it has to do with church history. Traditionally, it was a way of communication long ago. Town events would be marked by the sound of the bells. The bells would warn of danger, announce good news, call all the towns folk together to help with something urgent like a fire.
But, why the bells?
I went to the Bible. It’s a very good place to go for answers. I only found a few Scripture verses about bells and most of them are in the same book.
“Use blue, purple, and red yarn to make cloth pomegranates. Hang these pomegranates around the bottom edge of the robe, and hang gold bells between the pomegranates. 34 So around the bottom edge of the robe there should be bells and pomegranates. There should be a bell following each pomegranate. 35 Aaron will wear this robe when he serves as a priest. The bells will ring as Aaron goes into the Holy Place to stand before the Lord, and the bells will ring as he leaves the Holy Place. This way Aaron will not die.” Exodus 28:32-35 ERV
This is the instruction for the design of the robe the priest would wear in the Tabernacle. Bells were worn on the hem of the robe of the chief priest. He was the only one who was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. This is the place he met with God and the jingling bells were an audible sign that he was walking with God.
After Jesus came He made a way where we all can come boldly to God’s throne and find help when we need it. We have been given the right to walk with God, without fear, welcomed by our loving Father.
“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV
Let me encourage you to make some noise this Christmas season. Let the bells ring as you walk with your family and your neighbors. Let them hear the bells ringing the good news that Immanuel, God with us, is here!