Bells, Angels, and Mistletoe
We are finally into December! That means less than a month until Christmas. In our house, December means decorating everything with lights, garland, and bells. Bells mean a lot in our house. Yes, I know that angels get their wings whenever a bell rings, but we have other meanings in the Huff house. We have one attached to our mistletoe at the front door. Whoever rings that can expect a Christmas kiss (either romantic or a loud belly-blowing one). We have bells on our stairway, bells on the mantle, and bells on the tree. The more I hear these little bells ring I think of a song we'll be doing in our Christmas concert this year, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. I've put the song to a little video if you'd like to check it out.
Bells ringing in peace is not something we often think about. However, I think it is very appropriate. In the old days, the town herald would ring a bell to signal an important announcement. We have bells rung to celebrate a marriage or a great victory. We use the expression "ringing in the New Year." Can you think of a more important announcement than Christ's birth; a birth that signified peace between God and man? The angels and shepherds declaring Christ's birth are like these same bells. They "ring in" Messiah's birth.
So, maybe instead of thinking about an angel getting its wings or who is under the mistletoe, we should think about that special, universe altering moment. The moment when this was announced:
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
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