Following the Civil War, a college in Virginia closed its doors. It was in ruins, and for nearly seven years, there was no school. Yet every morning during those years, the school's president rang the chapel bell. There was no faculty to teach, no students to learn and the rains dripped through the decaying roofs of the deserted old buildings -- but he still rang the chapel bell.

In the tones of the bell, the people of the little town heard the notes of faith and hope, which President Ewell kept alive for the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.

It was in just such a depressing atmosphere that the prophet, Isaiah, lived. Jerusalem was in ruins. The southern kingdom of Judah had fallen, and it seemed that God had turned away from his people. But Isaiah's faith and hope were not shaken. God gave him a revelation of the future, and he wrote about it as if it had already happened!

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light ... For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given." (Isaiah 9:2,6)

Isaiah, too, was ringing the bells of faith and hope. We do well to listen to the message of these "bells."

First, a Child is born. That's the message of Christmas! The tragedy is that far too many do not hear this bell in the midst of shopping, partying and feasting. My greatest concern is that the real reason for Christmas is being buried under the secular trappings of the holiday season. Our Savior's birth must ring loud and clear!

The second "bell" is his government of peace. "The government shall be upon His shoulder," and a few sentences later, Isaiah added, "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end." (Isaiah 9:6,7)

Sure, there was peace when Jesus came, only it was Pax Romana -- Rome's peace by force! Still, peace among nations continues to be illusive. But peace of mind in the heart of a believer in Jesus is real. "For He Himself is our peace!" writes Paul in Ephesians 2:14. His government of peace is limitless when we are children of the King!

The other "bells" are that He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Some texts join "Wonderful Counselor." Christ is that indeed! He embodies all the attributes of God His Father. John writes of Him, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

Verses three and four of Henry W. Longfellow's bea.jpgul hymn, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," wrap up our thoughts about "Christmas Bells."

"And in despair I bow my head: 'There is no peace on earth,' I said,

"'For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to me.'

"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

"The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.'"

So -- ring the bells at Christmas!

The Rev. Burt Williams in interim pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Cordova.

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