Bells

One of the most well known sounds and symbols of the holiday season is Christmas bells. As soon and they start chiming we know that the season is underway. Bells themselves have quite long history. The Chinese were the first believed to have used them.

Before the Christian religions were accepted, bells were kept small but still used as a symbol of worship. Later, when the emperor Constantine made Christianity legal in a sense, those that were Christian increased the size of their bells. Many put them on the outside of their churches to signify worship.

During the medieval times, bells were though to carry a much greater power. They were though able to keep away the evil spirits of the time. They would ring the bells to drive the spirits away then quickly run inside the church. This tradition is believed to be the origin of today’s door bells.

No one is sure how bells came to be synonymous with Christmas, but it is likely through their connection with the church. Christmas bells and chimes add a lovely tone to the holiday season. They are musical and can take the festive season up a level.

Christmas bells are quite widely available as well. They make great gifts or ornaments. Those that love the sound will enjoy clanging them while those who love their decorative shape will use them to add to the Christmas tone.

Bells have a long standing tradition. Although believed first used by the Chinese, the church has a long standing association with these instruments. Christmas bells make a lovely sound and as soon as they start chiming we all know that Christmas isn’t far behind.