Inside: Bells have long been a symbol of Christmas, but where did the tradition come from? Stick around to see for whom the Christmas bells toll.
The History of Bells
Bells have long been associated with churches, as a means to call people to gather, in good times and bad, in celebration and mourning. To ring out during weddings–or sound a warning. To announce the arrival of seasons, whether the new year or the birth of Christ.
In ancient times, people celebrated the coming winter by noisemaking to ward off evil spirits. Because bells were common, easily made, and people knew how to use them, they were often the noisemaker of choice. At some point, however, the tradition of using noisemakers such as bells was adopted by Christians and used to celebrate something joyous–Christmas. Some believe that it was Bishop Paulinus of Nola in Campania (431 A.D.) who began the practice of calling the faithful to worship by the tolling of large bells. Others credit St. Patrick with ringing bells to gather the people from the surrounding Irish villages so that he could teach them from the Bible. The bells, then, were associated with sharing biblical teaching, and so on days of religious significance, such as Easter, the bells would toll in remembrance.
While the ringing of church bells reminded people of significant events in the Christian calendar, such as Christmas, it was the Victorians who made bells fashionable. During the advent season, Victorians would go caroling, carrying handbells, which they would chime as they sang. Sometimes they simply walked and rang the bells without raising their voice in song, though most commonly they sang and rang the bells.
Many of us are familiar with the saying at Christmas: “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” While you might think the line originated with the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, it was actually a saying among children over a hundred years ago.
Back then, kids naturally believed that making noise was part of the celebration of Christmas, and bells, being so inexpensive, were fun to bring along when caroling and wassailing. Nearly every family owned one, and most parents approved of this form of merrymaking during the Christmas season.
Christmas Bells in Popular Culture
Bells also play a part in popular Christmas folklore, with that jolly old elf driving his sleigh by reindeer sporting jingle bell harnesses. Those tinkling bells help him see the reindeer in the fog or snowy weather, don’t you know.
Finally, some of our most beloved Christmas songs were written about bells and the celebration of the most joyous of holidays. Of course there’s the popular “Jingle Bells,” and who can forget Bing and Ella singing a duet of “Silver Bells”? And how about “Christmas Bells are Ringing” or the more solemn “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” or the haunting and lovely “Carol of the Bells”?
So make some noise this Christmas. Really, it’s okay. Ring those Christmas bells. After all, we know for Whom the Christmas bell tolls, and He is definitely worth celebrating!
Have you ever gone caroling? Tell us about it in the comments.
Resources and related posts:
A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2019
The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 1: Our Hillbilly Christmas Wreath 2019!
The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 2: An Unforgettable Small Town
The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 3: Cookies From Christmases Past
Posts from a year ago:
The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 4: In Pursuit of Perfect Pines
The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 3: Rosemary Walnuts
From two years ago:
The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 4: A Truly Southern Christmas
The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 3: Our Prim Christmas Tree Forest