Christmas is practically upon us, and just about everything is new and exciting, of course what could anyone expect with the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas truly brings out the best in all of us and with so many traditions and friends and family around it’s no wonder that everyone is feeling extra magical. It makes some people just want to burst into song, however there are those of us who have not been blessed with voices of angels, what is there for the rest of us to do. We could play the music of our absolute favorite Christmascarol, we could go caroling in the streets if we’re up for it or we can stand in awe at the ringing of the bells.

For those of you who haven’t heard Church bells are traditionally only rung at Midnight after the mass has occurred on Christmas Eve to extoll the birth of Jesus Christ to one and all. However, we are here! Couldn’t help but wonder when did this tradition start and why did it begin in the first place, hence here we have composed this article to explain the traditions behind the bells of Christmas.

The origin of our love affair with bells predates Christianity; however the source of Christianity’s affinity with bells may come from none other than St Patrick. St Patrick would ring the bell to call together as many people from the Irish villages and townspeople within the local vicinity and then he would share biblical teachings and messages with them. This led to the bell being associated with the word of the Bible and therefore, the tradition carried that whenever days of religious significance, such as Easter occurred, the bellswould be rung so as to announce to all people that the message has been spread. Probably also because it just sounds really great when the bells toll anyway, which is a good enough reason to ring them if you ask me.

However, we now need to fast track through history from the time of St Patrick right through to the Victorian Era in England because who would have guessed that it was in fact the Victorians who made bells as trendy as possible. The Victorian people would go caroling during the advent season with little handheld bells that would chime along as they sung. Sometimes they only used to walk along with the bellsand did not sing at all, however singing carols with the bells was the more common practice within the Victorian Era.

Bells have been important within the Church practices for many years; they ring for weddings between starry-eyed lovers wanting to carve out a new life as one rather than two. The bells also ring for the funerals of our loved ones, for the days where we celebrate Saints and other notable religious occasions, perhaps the most important ringing of the bells occurs around Christmas time though. We hope that you will wait for the tolling of bellsafter Midnight Mass this Christmas, and for more holiday information visit Sir Holiday today.

Single bell link:

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Old church with bell in the tower:

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