Ringing Handbells at Christmas, 2004, by Isaac Fox-Poulsen

From MemoryArchive

Who: Isaac Fox-Poulsen
What: Ringing Handbells
When: Christmas Sunday 2004
Where: Washington, Iowa

I enjoy ringing hand bells. On Christmas Sunday a year or two ago, the day the church celebrates Christmas (normally the week before Christmas because no one comes on the week of Christmas).

Before we played, we got our pep talk from Ione, the director. "Guys... and gals, please ring your best. If you screw up, just keep going. Don't make faces so that it is obvious. Please remember that you are being taped for television and other occasions." I just figured that it would be like any other occasion that we rang bells, except the choir would sing along, and some instruments would play along. That changed when we walked up to play. About five minutes before we walked up, I realized my fears. Others in the group who were also first-years were saying things like "I've never rung in front of three hundred! I will be so embarrassed if I screw up." I just simply thought my favorite phrase, "Worrying just makes it worse, so calm down."

Finally, as I stood in front of a congregation of three hundred, preparing to ring simple brass bells, I realize that I am part of a great group. Not many people can ring hand bells like we can. There are ten of us along with a church organ, a grand piano, the chancel choir, the entire congregation, and brass accompaniment. As Ione raised her hands, the joyous sound filled the room. "I am part of the biggest music in the church this year!" I thought. I felt the joyous sound vibrate through the room. I could smell the breakfast in the basement. I tasted the cinnamon rolls baking in the basement.

I will never forget the final ring of the bells past all of the other instruments. In that big building which was designed for acoustics, they rang for what seemed to be endless. I could feel the vibration of the bells in my hands. After it faded, I knew we all did our best. Besides, it was all for the glory of God.