Let the joy of Christmas touch your soul, whether in the peal of bells, the chorus of songs, or the quiet of your heart. There’s plenty to celebrate: Jesus is born!
Ring Christmas bells, merrily ring,
Tell all the world, Jesus is King,
Loudly proclaim with one accord
The happy tale, welcome the Lord
Ring Christmas bells, sound far and near,
The birthday of Jesus is here.
Herald the news to old and young,
Tell it to all in every tongue
Ring Christmas bells, toll loud and long,
Your message sweet, peal and prolong.
Come, all ye people, join in the singing,
Repeat the story told by the ringing,
—Minna Louise Hohman[This carol by Minna Hohman was adapted from the “Carol of the Bells,” by Peter J. Wilhousky (1936), which was adapted from the Ukrainian New Year’s Song “Shchedryk,” written by Mykola Leontovych (1916).]
Late on a sleepy, star-spangled night, angels peeled back the sky just like you would tear open a sparkling Christmas present. Then, with light and joy pouring out of Heaven like water through a broken dam, they began to shout and sing the message that baby Jesus had been born. The world had a Savior! The angels called it “Good News,” and it was.—Larry Libby
The world is filled with the sounds of Christmas. If you listen with your outer ears, you will hear carols, bells, and laughter, and now and then a sob of loneliness. If you listen with the inner ear, you will hear the sound of angels’ wings, the hush of inner expectation, and the sacred sound of the deepest silence, the vibrant whisper of the eternal Word.
The world is filled with the sights of Christmas. If you look with your outer eyes, you will see brightly decorated trees, tinseled stars, flaming candles, and a crèche. If you look with the inner eye, you will see the star of Bethlehem in your own heart.—Adapted from Anna May Nielson
Let us have music for Christmas…
Sound the trumpet of joy and rebirth;
Let each of us try, with a song in our hearts,
To bring peace to men on earth.
—Mildred L. Jarrell
’Tis not enough that Christ was born
Beneath the star that shone,
And earth was set that holy morn
Within a golden zone.
He must be born within the heart
Before He finds a throne,
And brings the day of love and good,
The reign of Christlike brotherhood.
—Mary T. Lathrop