…The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out…
—Exodus 28:35
In the town where I grew up, the bells on the courthouse dome rang each hour. It was encouraging to hear those bells.
It also helped us to keep track of time … so we could be home before the town curfew for minors. If you weren’t home, all the police force knew the cars of each underage teen, and they would stop you. We all knew that.
We also knew that they knew our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The courthouse bells were a warning to us, and we heeded them.
The above Scripture speaks of bells on the hem of the garment of Aaron, a high priest anointed and consecrated by the Lord. The sound of the bells told all people he was in or out of the Temple. The bells were a sound made Holy to the Lord.
Christmas is a time when we hear bells nearly everywhere. I am reminded of the song “Silver Bells,” always a favorite. While it is a secular song, it reminds us of times past … when life seemed to be a little simpler. Downtowns in large cities and small villages were decorated, and people flocked to stores on the square to pick out just the right gift for someone special. It was wrapped at the store, just in case you ran into that someone special while you were shopping.
The bells worn by Aaron on the hem of his robe mean something different. These bells are indicative of the holiness placed upon Aaron by the Lord. This perspective is one we should all be reminded of as well when we sing “Silver Bells” or any other Christmas song with bells in it.
In Cambridge City, our church has chimes that are a call to worship. We know it is 10:30 a.m. when the chimes begin to play. These chimes were given in memory of a congregant’s husband.
We can also adjust the chimes to play any seasonal songs. So, naturally, at Christmas, there are holy songs played that remind us of the birth of Jesus. During the Christmas Festival, which didn’t happen this year, the chimes are played all evening to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we also look forward to the time when he shall return. There will be a time when Jesus comes a second time, and the Bible warns us to be ready. Bells will once again play an important part. Be ready.
On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses…
—Zechariah 14:20
The Rev. Marianne Nichols of Greenfield is pastor of Milton United Methodist Church and Cambridge City First United Methodist Church. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
