THE "RINGING-IN" OF CHRISTMAS    

Karen Singley

The light fades

Into darkness

Then, one by one

The candles are lit

Everywhere

shine soft flickers of light

A symbol of

The Greatest Light

The Light of the World

The last lights are lit

Then the church bell

Across the street

strikes twelve

On Christmas Eve night

As the last chime fades

The bells begin

to ring out

Up and down the scales

Five different octaves

Five different patterns

To create a dream

In the background

The organ plays

The rejoicing, rich

"Joy to the World"

The joyous music continues

"The Lord is Come"

Plays the organ

And indeed he has come

to that very church

Announced by the angelic music

of the bells

A mood blankets the church

Originating in that presence

A mood of

Love, peace, joy, and happiness

Then in the hearts

of everyone

There is a message:

"Jesus has come!

Christmas is here!!"