“We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”
1 John 4:14 ESV
Bells and Christmas sound like a perfect pairing.
Many of our favorite Christmas songs and carols feature the ringing of bells: Silver Bells (1950), Sleigh Ride (1948), Jingle Bells (1857), Carol of the Bells (1914), Ding Dong Merrily (1924), Caroling-Caroling (1954), Jingle Bell Rock (1957), and there are more.
And, of course, there is ZuZu Bailey’s famous line from the 1946 Christmas movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life, “Look Daddy, teacher says, ‘Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.'”
One would think the bells must have been ringing on the night Jesus was born. But that was not the case—at least, Scripture doesn’t record the presence of bells in the manger or Bethlehem. And, the shepherds’ encounter with the heavenly host announcing Christ’s birth does not mention angels ringing bells.
Bells scarcely show up in Scripture. Aside from God’s instructions that golden bells were to be stitched to the hem of the priests’ garments and Zechariah’s mention of bells inscribed with “Holy to the Lord” worn by horses during the annual worship celebration of the King of Kings by all nations in the New Jerusalem, bells don’t appear elsewhere in the Bible. [Exo. 28:33-35, 39:25-26; Zech. 14:20]
Most likely, the bell’s association with Christmas evolved from days long ago when people didn’t wear watches or have timepieces in their homes. Church bells were the de facto alarm clocks ringing out the time and calling people to come to the house of God for praise, prayer, and worship.
Perhaps one much-loved Christmas carol officially tied the knot between bells and Christmas. That beautiful carol is “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.”
The cruel miseries of the Civil War greatly distressed America’s best-loved poet of his time, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In 1861, the war between the Union and Confederate armies began. That same year, Longfellow’s wife tragically died when her dress was accidentally set ablaze by a candle in their home. His despair because of the war and the grievous loss of his wife spiraled Longfellow into a long period of grief and deep depression.
Less than two years after his wife’s death, his seventeen-year-old son, Charley, the oldest of his six children, ran away from home to join the Union Army. In November 1863, Henry learned that Charley had been severely wounded in battle. He and his son, Ernest, traveled to Washington to find and bring his injured boy home.
On Christmas Day 1863, still in the depths of despair, Longfellow heard the church bells toll. And, for the first time since his wife’s death, his oldest son’s brush with death and his continued fight to recover, and the ongoing battle of his country against itself, Henry poured his heart and sorrow into writing the words of “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.”
The original version (“Christmas Bells”) included two stanzas directly referencing the Civil War. Those two verses were omitted in later versions. The remaining five verses powerfully reveal Longfellow’s faith-struggle and desire to accept that God’s goodness and righteous judgment would ultimately prevail.
“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!” (verse 4)
“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.” (verse 5)
The uncertainties of the still-raging Civil War, the loss of loved ones, friendships and family relationships torn apart by divided loyalties and political positions, and a teetering government had created an oppressive malaise of cynicism and despair across the country.
Longfellow’s words brought much-needed comfort, fresh courage, and renewed faith to many of his fellow citizens as he reminded them that God was (and is) in control and that righteous judgment would prevail.
Friend, the uncertainties of Longfellow’s time sound eerily familiar—warring factions within our country and outside our borders. Questionable international alliances and untrustworthy political leaders create concerns for all Americans. Political causes and loyalties are creating rifts in families and destroying long-time friendships. Heap upon those issues general moral decay, floundering faith, and growing indifference, and it’s easy to see how a person could be depressed.
Let me repeat the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for our mutual encouragement:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
So this Christmas Season, every time you hear a bell ring or see a bell or hear a song about a bell, remember and take comfort and find joy in these truths:
- God is alive and well on His throne. (Deut. 33:17, Rom. 16:26, Heb. 9:14, 1 Peter 5:10)
- He is fully aware of your every situation—your needs, fears, concerns, sorrows, and pains. (2 Thess. 2:16-17, 1 John 3:20)
- God is in control. (1 Chron. 29:11-12, 2 Chron. 20:6, Psa. 68:35, 147:5)
- He is unchanging and faithful in all things. (Num. 23:19, Psa. 110:4, Mal. 3:6, Deut. 7:9, Psa. 145:13)
- And a day is coming when all things wrong will be made right. (1 Cor. 15:24-28)
Let the bells also remind you that you have a great reason for praise, prayer, and worship.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.‘
And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” Revelation 21:3-5 ESV