Ring the Bells of Christmas

"This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave,
the first glimpse of His glory.
And His disciples believed in Him." 
John 2:11

Tuesday night, we ventured out on one of our traditional family outings: driving through Chick-fil-A for peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes all 'round before hunting for Christmas lights.  We found the house we were looking for, parked, tuned in on the radio, sat back, and enjoyed the 10-15 minute synchronized light show. It was spectacular - ranging from mellow "Silent Night" to the rockin' Transiberian Orchestra version of the "Nutcracker Suite."  As impressed as we were by the light show, it was through the children's voices quoting the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke that we heard a glimpse of God's glory. Sweet innocence stumbling through the more difficult words, telling the precious story of another Child.

Wednesday night a mighty wind roared through our area and didn't run out of breath until late afternoon.  Morning revealed bare trees dangling occasional nest knots. Clouds tumbleweeded across the sky. Temperatures dropped to below freezing by nightfall. I believe in the God who uses wind to remind us of His power, His Presence, the transformations He can make over time, over night or in the twinkling of an eye.  Blustery wind, racing clouds, heat and cold, sunstreaks of orange, pink and purple - all glimpses of God's glory.

Thursday night brought more glimpses of God. For three years running, we've enjoyed a new Arkansas Christmas tradition: travelling to Garvan Woodland Gardens to hear the "Hallelujah Handbells" play in Anthony Chapel.

The chapel, constructed of wood and glass, re-decorates itself each season. For Christmas, a bare evergreen, God's creation minus artificial lights and ornaments, rises front and center.  At night, amber-hued lighting soothes and the place calls for reflection and praise.  Seated in back of the crowded chapel, we heard the bells sing, flickering with visual sparks of light, motion, and harmony. 

As our friends rang the bells, something rang true in me: God rings the bells of His glory on a day-to-day basis. Christmas simply provides more opportunities to catch a wider variety of glimpses. 

It's no wonder Satan wants us squabbling and distracted during the holidays (holy days).  Christmas enlightens us when we throw off all that encumbers and blinds us to hearing the bells and catching glimpses of God's glory. When we looked for them in the lights, we also heard them in children's voices. When we felt for them by our fireside, we also found them in inclement weather.  And, when we listened for them in the bells, we also saw them in flashes of light feflecting from the moving bells to the back of the chapel. 

Lord, it is good to praise You.

Most High God, it is good to make music to honor You.

It is good to sing every morning about Your love.
It is good to sing every night about how faithful You are.
I sing about it to the music of the lyre that has ten strings.
I sing about it to the music of the harp.
Lord, You make me glad by what You have done.
I sing with joy about the works of Your hands.
Lord, how great are the things You do!
How wise Your thoughts are!
Psalm 92:1-5

Father, I've been looking for that Christmas feeling while You've been ringing bells, blowing cold and whispering to me in children's voices.  Father, we surrender the need for magic and artificiality we add to Your glory.  Like Peter, we want to build temples when You've already provided the mountaintop.  Open our eyes and ears to Your music and guide us to respond with the music of praise.
In the Name of Jesus, Precious Child, Loving Lamb, Music of Heaven