I saw this poem in my Daily Almanac email today. While it has a good message, it brought to mind an even greater message from a song I remembered singing in the choir when we attended the Addyston Baptist Church back in the 80’s and 90’s. The song is “Ring the Bells” by Harry Bollback.

I love how the Lord brings different experiences back to memory! Those were good years helping in the ministry of that wonderful church when Rex Hensley was the pastor.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
–Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92)

I believe we sang the following song during a Christmas Cantata. Or we may have learned it for a Sunday special, I do not remember for sure.  “Ring the Bells” by Harry Bollback, founder, with John Von Casper “Jack” Wyrtzen, of the Word of Life Fellowship, Inc., an international evangelistic Christian youth ministry.

Ring the bells, ring the bells, let the whole world know,
Christ was born in Bethlehem many years ago.
Born to die that man might live, came to earth new life to give,
Born of Mary, born so low, many years ago.
God the Father gave His Son, gave His own beloved One,
To the wicked sinful earth, to bring mankind His love, new birth.

Chorus
Ring the bells, ring the bells,
Let the whole world know
Christ the Savior lives today
As He did so long ago!

Ring the bells, ring the bells, what a glorious morn!
Men and angels worship Him, singing, Christ is born!
Born to die on Calvary, born to set His people free,
God Himself in human form, tell it! Christ is born.
He has left His royal throne, He has come to claim His own,
Christ the Lord has come to earth, go spread the news of Jesus' birth.

Let’s all do our part to spread the word about our Savior in 2024! 1/1/24