Come on Ring Those Bells
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20
Introduction
During the Christmas season, there are many things that claim our attention. The weather turns colder, and we feel a nip in the air. In some places, there is frost on the ground, or even snow. During this festive season there are carolers, sleigh rides, and beautifully decorated trees. All these things serve to remind us of God’s greatest gift to us—the birth of the Christ child, Jesus. He truly is the reason for the season.
At The Salvation Army we have our own traditions that include the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Imagine the sound of our brass band playing a traditional Christmas carol, or the sight and smell of the advent wreath with its candles. And of course, we hear in our memories of many Christmases the sound of bells ringing at our Christmas kettles.
History of Christmas Kettles
In 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty–stricken. He only had one major hurdle to overcome—funding the project.
He wondered where the money would come from. He lay awake nights, worrying, thinking, praying about how he could find the funds to fulfill his commitment of feeding 1,000 of the city’s poorest individuals on Christmas Day. As he pondered the issue, his thoughts drifted back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He remembered how at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large, iron kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” into which passers-by tossed a coin or two to help the poor.
The next day Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street. Beside the pot, he placed a sign that read, “Keep the Pot Boiling.” He soon had the money to see that the needy people were properly fed at Christmas.
Six years later, the kettle idea spread from the west coast to the Boston area. That year, the combined effort nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy. In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the first mammoth sit–down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years. Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more than four–and–a–half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods.
Captain McFee’s kettle idea launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States, but across the world. Kettles are now used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, Chile and many European countries. Everywhere, public contributions to Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year–round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.
Sing–Along With the Bells
For some reason, bells have always been associated with Christmas. There are many Christmas songs that mention bells. Enjoy singing some of the “bell” carols as a group. Or play “Name that Tune” where the women guess what the song is that mentions “bells.” Following are a few suggestions:
“Silver bells, silver bells, it’s Christmas time in the city. Ring a ling, hear them ring. Soon it’ll be Christmas day.”
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play.”
“Ring the bells, ring the bells, let the whole world know, Christ was born in Bethlehem many years ago.”
“Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, Ring-ting-tingling, too. Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!”
“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.”
“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock. Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring.”
“Caroling, caroling through the snow, Christmas bells are ringing.”
“Come on, ring the bells, light the Christmas tree. Jesus is the King, born for you and me.”
Bells are a big part of Christmas, and they always been a part of The Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle effort from the earliest days. Bells are frequently used to draw attention to a need. Think of the bell on the desk of a business that would call the worker to the front, or the days when you were called into school by a bell. Or imagine a queen calling her servant to her chambers for assistance with a bell. When we hear the kettle bell, it calls us into action, and it calls us to commitment.
The Three Commitments of the Christmas Kettle Worker
In Luke 2:8-20, the shepherds around Bethlehem were called into action. However, they weren’t called by a bell, they were called by an angel and a great company of the heavenly host. Let’s read through this exciting part of the Christmas story.
Read Luke 2:8-20.
There are three areas of commitment to notice about the shepherds, and three levels of commitment we can make when we volunteer to assist with Christmas kettles:
- Commitment to Help
After hearing the fantastic news about the birth of the Messiah, the shepherds were motivated to see the baby in Bethlehem and then to help spread the word about this spectacular event.
We are motivated to help spread the word today about the Messiah, and we are committed to help others in tangible and practical ways in His name.
- Commitment to Endure
Sometimes, we must endure some tough things to be a kettle volunteer. There’s cold weather and standing on the hard concrete. Sometimes, people aren’t very friendly and don’t want to hear our Christmas greeting.
The shepherds might have dealt with the same problems. They were outdoors most of the time and likely had a very rough existence. They may also have faced disbelief and rejection from those who wouldn’t believe that the Messiah had come in a meager and primitive shelter. Despite this, they endured, and they glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard. We can do the same.
- Commitment to Celebrate
At the end of our kettle adventure, we can celebrate what was accomplished. We celebrate the fact that our contribution will make a big difference in someone’s life. We celebrate the opportunity to give freely of ourselves.
The shepherds made a difference. They were an encouragement to Mary and Joseph. They were witnesses to everyone they met. They shared the good news.
Jesus touched the lives of those shepherds on that Palestinian hillside 2000 years ago. He continues to change lives as our Savior and friend today.
Prayer
Father, we praise You for showing us how immeasurable is Your love and goodness to us every day. Help us, Lord, to follow in Your ways and do good to those who need it the most.
We ask for You, Holy Spirit, to be with The Salvation Army around the world at this time and to help them raise the funds they need in order to do good with what You have given them. We praise You and honor You in all we do. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Game
Christmas Kettle Crossword Puzzle
Create a crossword puzzle using the words associated with Christmas, bells, kettle, shepherds. You can find sites online. The following are a couple of sites: https://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com or https://worksheets.theteacherscorner.net/make-your-own/crossword
Other Activities
Have women volunteer as a group to stand at a kettle, whether for a few hours, or perhaps adopt a kettle for the entire day. If women can’t stand at the kettles, have them deliver hot chocolate and cookies to the kettle workers.
More about the History of Bellringing:
https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/red-kettle-history/
Salvation Army Bell (Red Kettle Song) – Camille & Haley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18t0EUVdeLw
