The Songs Of ChristmasUkázka

Inspired by "Jingle Bells" by Colton Dixon

Like most songs written over a hundred years ago, the meaning of “Jingle Bells” has changed a little since it was first penned by James Lord Pierpont in 1857. For Pierpont and his contemporaries, “jingle” was a command, not an adjective. Each winter when the snow fell, carriages ran the risk of collision around blind curves because the snow padded any sound the horses’ hooves usually made. But if the horses were adorned in bells—or “bobtails” as they’re called—they would jingle as a warning sign to oncoming traffic.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

While it was a practical use, the song says the bells of bobtails ringing would make spirits bright. We can imagine this joy was two-fold: the pleasant music of the bells and the announcement of an approaching carriage. Pretty music, no crash.

Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright

Similar to the night Christ was born. The angels made music; the world was saved. As the angel said in the gospel of Luke, “‘I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people…a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord….Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:10-11, 13-14).

Although James Pierpont was relatively young when he wrote this classic Christmas song, he had already suffered greatly in his life. His first wife died young, he had failed at a business venture in California during the gold rush, and everything he had managed to make in California was burned in a fire. He was not always “laughing all the way” and thinking what fun it was to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. He was hurting. And maybe you are too. This hasn’t been the easiest year. You’ve lost things or people that you loved and you don’t feel like singing along to Christmas carols.

But perhaps for Pierpont, suffering is what made the sound of the bells so sweet. They were a reminder of joy to come, rounding the next curve. May this be what the Christmas season is for you this year: a reminder of the joy that came and still comes.

Hear Colton Dixon's “Jingle Bells" here.