While dining in a Chinese restaurant this weekend, my wife asked me why bells have been associated with Christmas. “That’s a good question.” I told her then paused for a while thinking why we do have bells as part of our Christmas décor.
I replied that bells have often been used as a signal for people to pray. Some of our churches still ring the bells at 6 a.m., 12 noon, and 6 p.m. to remind everyone to pray the Angelus. Bells also call us to worship. At Mass, the bells are rung at several important parts most especially at Consecration when Jesus is made present in the form of bread and wine.
Bells too call our attention to time. Some buildings, including churches, ring every 15 minutes. Schools sound off to announce that one lesson has been finished and another is about to start, etc.
Having thought about these uses, I started to relate it with Christmas. Bells are signals that a new season is coming. If bells would signal an event, what then should be our response? First, we have to pray. The Lord has often called us to pray, to spend a few moments communicating with Him.
Second, we are called to worship. Our Christmas preparations include attending the Simbang Gabi, the 9-day Masses prior to Christmas.
Third, we are called to be aware of what is happening to us and our neighbour. Have we done anything meaningful in our life and in the lives of the people around us?
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