Ring Those Bells - Equipped for Battle

A frail little grandmother stands upon the back porch, takes the clanging device in her hands, and swings it rapidly while she says “Come to dinner!” in her sweet southern country voice. Children run from the fields in back of her home because they know that a meal grand enough for a king awaits inside. The bell has been rung, and there is only one meaning for this bell: it's time to enjoy.

At this time of year, bells and the mention of them are everywhere. The decorations on mailboxes and trees, the mention in songs such as “Silver Bells”, “Come on Ring those Bells”, “Bells will be Ringing”, and of course, “Jingle Bells” are just a few of the examples. Salvation Army volunteers ring bells at the front of shopping centers, and even animals wear bells in Jingle Bell runs and the like. It's just a time when bells are part of the season. It's just another reminder that this is indeed a time to enjoy.

But what is the cause? Why should there bells be rung, and why this time of year? Most know. Most can easily answer. It's the time when the celebration for the greatest gift ever given to man was born. It's the time when people take knowledge of the fact that “unto us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!”

In “It's a Wonderful Life” the small child “Zuzu” says, “teacher says that every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings”, and that may or may not be true, but one thing is for sure, the more the bells ring at this time of year, the more there is notice that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords has been born, and there is so much to enjoy for those who will come into the house of safety that He alone can provide. Ring! Ring! Ring! those bells! Ring them that all may hear!

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?

Find “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, find locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore