Christmas Bells are an integral part of the traditional holiday celebration. They can be seen and heard, in one way or another, just about anywhere you go during the Christmas season. We hear Carols merrily singing about silver bells, sleigh bells, and jingle bells from the loud speakers at shopping malls, restaurants, and even doctor's offices etc. We see images of all different shapes and sizes of bells plastered on gift paper, greeting cards, and shop windows. There are even bell shaped tree ornaments, candy dishes, and decorations. How did bells become such an important part of the Christmas celebration?
The pagans initially used bells as a way to ward off evil spirits during the autumn and winter months. It was thought that making loud noises would keep evil spirits at bay during the night. Bells were readily available to almost everyone so they were ideal for use as noisemakers.
Eventually bells went from being used to ward off evil to being used as a way to celebrate happy occasions, a tradition that took hold and that we still use today. Churches would ring them every time something good happened, such as a wedding or a birth, especially the birth of Jesus Christ. The children would also ring their bells to honor his birth.
Many people could not afford musical instruments during that time because they were so expensive. Bells were a great alternative to these expensive musical instruments because they were inexpensive, easy to make, and almost everyone had them. People used them when they went Christmas caroling because of their beautiful musical sounds. Many people would take bells to church with them to use during church services.
When the stories of Santa started to emerge, we saw that his eight reindeer wore several small bells, called jingle bells. It was rumored that when the reindeer moved the bells would jingle which made it easier for Santa to find his way through the dark, snow, or fog. That is, of course, until Rudolph the came into the picture.
It is amazing how many different ways we use bells today, especially during the holiday season. For many, Christmas bells are a way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. For others, they are a beautiful symbol of a warm, happy time of year. Either way, they have become a integral part of our traditional Christmas time celebrations.
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