Christmas Bells

A bell - whether it be a little one on a hotel desk, or one in the tower of a church or another great building - is no good unless it moves, in order for the clapper to strike the bow and make a sound.  In other words, bells are of little use without fittings.  Key among the fittings of a bell, such as those I ring regularly, is the headstock.  This is a large block of steel (formerly wood) mounted on bearings at either end, to support the weight of the bell as it moves.  The bell is fastened securely to this by metal straps and bolts so that it is secure at all times. 

The other critical elements are the wheel and a rope, by means of which the bell can be rotated, thus causing it to ring out.  Each element has its own part to play in creating the overall effect.  The bell doesn't ring unless someone pulls on the rope.  And even then, some bells don't make a sound because they have suffered a lack of maintenance.  The bearings may have seized up, through lack of lubrication; the wheel might be broken, the rope might have broken or been nibbled away by mice or - worst of all - the clapper might have fallen out!

In another place, I have made use of the motto Dic verbo lux mundi.  It means "Tell out the word, the light of the world."  It could be said to be one of the aims of this blog.  The focus of Christmas isn't the bright lights and decorations - beautiful though many of them are; it's not the giving and receiving of presents - nice thought these can be; it's not the mistletoe hung in the doorway - pleasant though the kisses beneath may be!  The real message of Christmas is the coming into the world of Jesus, the Son of God.  In the introduction to his Gospel - often used as a Christmas reading in churches - John referred to Jesus as both the Word and the Light (John 1:1-5).  Jesus was born in a stable and, in his adult ministry, described himself as the Light of the World (John 8:12). 

I said that each element plays a part in a bell sounding out; taking that a stage further, the normal sound of 'change-ringing' that is heard across the English countryside is only possible when a number of ringers combine their pulling of those ropes in a systematic way.  The characteristic sound that many find soothing is only possible as a result of teamwork, with each ringer following his own particular path in the overall pattern of changes.  In the same way each limb or organ has a particular role in the function of the body, as St Paul wrote (1 Cor. 12:12-22) when comparing the church to a human body.  So, too, each individual member plays a part in the work of the church.  And, especially at this time of year, that work is telling about the birth of Jesus and proclaiming the angels' message of joy, peace and goodwill to all people.

I wish all my readers a very Happy Christmas ... do enjoy those Christmas bells!