Holiday Bells Remind Us To Think Of Others
Mary Claire Rowe
"Silver bells, silver bells, its Christmas time in the city...''
According to sources on the Internet, this lovely song was written by Alan Jackson, Jay Livingston, and Ray Evans.
Tinkling silver bells brings visions to my head of light, lilting sounds floating through the air. So, then I was thinking about the bells, and wondering why and where the authors heard silver bells. At first I was thinking about sleigh bells, but that sound is quite different. The only bells I could think of as being commonly heard were the Salvation Army's bells, but that is certainly not a light, lilting, tinkling sound.
To me it has always been a harsh sort of sound, bringing me back to the cold realities of the world today. Perhaps in the beginning, the bells were silver and were light and lilting, but now, they are just metal and are not used as a gentle reminder, but rather as an assertive declaration.
The need to help others is clear, and those who need help has grown to huge proportions. In a country with so many advantages and wealth, perhaps it is easy to forget those who have so little.
Charitable organizations and the Salvation Army in particular, have done so many wonderful and kind things for others in need. It is clear that their mission saves countless live, and makes life more livable for thousands.
So, whether the sound is light and lilting, or loud and strident, the bell ringers remind us to give and to give generously, and not just to the Salvation Army, but to all who need, and not just during the holy days.
Merry Christmas, happy Chanukah, joyful Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year!
"What's Blooming In Our Garden'' is a regular feature of the Tyler Morning Telegraph Garden Page. It is written by Mary Claire Rowe, a Master Gardener with the Texas Cooperative Extension, and focuses on flowers and plant life around East Texas. To share your comments on gardening, write her in care of the Morning Telegraph.
According to sources on the Internet, this lovely song was written by Alan Jackson, Jay Livingston, and Ray Evans.
Tinkling silver bells brings visions to my head of light, lilting sounds floating through the air. So, then I was thinking about the bells, and wondering why and where the authors heard silver bells. At first I was thinking about sleigh bells, but that sound is quite different. The only bells I could think of as being commonly heard were the Salvation Army's bells, but that is certainly not a light, lilting, tinkling sound.
To me it has always been a harsh sort of sound, bringing me back to the cold realities of the world today. Perhaps in the beginning, the bells were silver and were light and lilting, but now, they are just metal and are not used as a gentle reminder, but rather as an assertive declaration.
The need to help others is clear, and those who need help has grown to huge proportions. In a country with so many advantages and wealth, perhaps it is easy to forget those who have so little.
Charitable organizations and the Salvation Army in particular, have done so many wonderful and kind things for others in need. It is clear that their mission saves countless live, and makes life more livable for thousands.
So, whether the sound is light and lilting, or loud and strident, the bell ringers remind us to give and to give generously, and not just to the Salvation Army, but to all who need, and not just during the holy days.
Merry Christmas, happy Chanukah, joyful Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year!
"What's Blooming In Our Garden'' is a regular feature of the Tyler Morning Telegraph Garden Page. It is written by Mary Claire Rowe, a Master Gardener with the Texas Cooperative Extension, and focuses on flowers and plant life around East Texas. To share your comments on gardening, write her in care of the Morning Telegraph.
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