Christmas Bells - Ornaments and Songs

Ding! Dong! Ding! It's Christmas time! I'm sure in many countries around the world celebrating this special holiday, people have already put up their Christmas decors, Christmas lanterns, Christmas trees and Christmas lights. Jolly Christmas carols including nostalgic Christmas songs are being played in the air.

As for my kids, the season usually means making Christmas craft projects for school as well. This time one of my children made a Christmas bell ornament. Let me share in this hub how to make this Christmas bell ornament.

But before that, I don't think there's really any mention of bells in the Christmas story in the Bible. But why have people included this object as part of the Christmas celebration? There are even Christmas songs like "Silver Bells" or "Carol of the Bells" associating bells with the Christmas season.

The ringing of bells are typically associated with the announcement of an event or occasion like a wedding. Though this was also practiced during the pagan winter celebrations and believed to ward off evil spirits, the ringing of bells eventually was adopted in churches to call the people to gather for the mass or service. At Christmas Eve, it is common to hear the ringing of bells to announce the celebration of Christ's birth.

How to Make a Christmas Bell Ornament

Prepare the Following Materials:

paper and cardboard - you can use cartolina or even cereal boxes

glue or double tape, stapler, scissor, pencil or marker, glue gun

art paper or foil (yellow and green, or any color you want); if there's a sticker foil, that is easier to use.

small Christmas ball

Ribbons, Christmas embellishments, thread or yarn (gold, optional).

Instructions:

1. Draw a bell pattern on an A4 size paper. You can actually make any size you want just make sure that it is symmetrical.

2. Use the bell pattern and trace 10 copies on the art paper (or foil or sticker foil) also. Cut them out.

3. Glue the bell cut outs onto the cartolina or cereal boxes. Then, cut them out.

4. To assemble the bell, fold first the bell cut outs in half. Get 2 pieces and glue together (or use the stapler which is easier) the half portions of two bell cut outs. Get another bell cut out and glue it to one of the half portions. Get another bell cut out and glue it to one of the half portions. Do this until all the cut outs are finished. Don't forget to glue the thread or yarn (for hanging the bell) before gluing the last one.

Cut out edges of the bell if there are misaligned portions. You can use the yellow sticker foil (if you have) on the edges to make sure that they're stuck together.

5. Add the embellishments.

• Cut about 10 1-inch strips of the green foil or art paper and glue it onto the neck of the bell. You may have to do it half and half of the bell to make the strip curve.
• Use the thread to tie the small Christmas ball under the bell. You may also use glue stick/glue gun to attach it.
• Make a big ribbon and decor with red beads, pine cone, poinsettia leaves or whatever would look nice.

Note: You can make a small version of these bells and use it as Christmas tree ornament. You can even make different patterns like ball, stars, Christmas tree, angel, etc.

Christmas Bell Songs

One of the things I enjoy most during the Christmas season is the playing of Christmas music. Some of them which make mention of bells or Christmas bells are Carol of the Bells, Silver Bells and Jingle Bells. But you'll be surprised to know that these were not originally written for the celebration of Christmas.

Carol of the Bells

Carol of the Bells was composed by Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1904 and the English text was written later by Peter J. Wilhousky in the 1930s which was not related to the original text in any way. The original song was based on the traditional folk chant sung during the New Year in Ukraine telling about the plentiful and bountiful year to come.

Before the introduction of Christianity to Ukraine, this was celebrated in the Spring or April. After the introduction of Christianity to the country, the celebration of New Year was moved to January of the Julian Calendar. When the English text was composed by Peter Wilhousky, the song was then popularly performed and sung during the Christmas season.

More about Carol of the Bells

Silver Bells

Silver Bells was the composition of partners Jay LIvingstone and Ray Evans for the Lemon Drop Kid movie in 1951. The original title of the song was actually "Tinkle Bell" which was inspired by the little tinkly bell found on their work desk. When they found out from Jay's wife that "tinkle" is a child's slang for urination, they ended up substituting "Silver" for "Tinkle" thus the title "Silver Bells."

More about Silver Bells.

Jingle Bells

One of the famous Christmas songs and very popular with caroling children in the Philippines (even if there's no snow in the Philippines). But, don't you know that it is not a Christmas song? It is song written for thanksgiving. It was composed by James Lord Pierpont in 1850 and had the original copyright name of "One Horse Open Sleigh" in 1857. This song, in fact, tells about the sleigh races held in Salem Street in the early 1800s.

More about Jingle Bells.

I hope you enjoyed this hub.