The ringing of bells: for celebrating the joy of Christmas and as well the triumph of beating cancer

Down through history, the ringing of bells, especially large ones, has been a powerful way to recognize the significance of some major event, such as the birth of a sovereign, a victory on a battlefield, or the celebration of a holiday.

John Adams on celebrating the 4th of July:

“It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”

And that powerful way came to extend to religious functions, such as the ringing of church bells in many churches at the end of services, or the conclusion of wedding ceremonies, and the like.

And most certainly to the celebration of Christmas.

What is more traditional, more gratifying, than the ringing of bells at Christmas time, and the satisfaction that it brings?

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=christmas+bells+ringing+sound+effect&mid=57f0b59ee9c76d5b419657f0b59ee9c76d5b4196&form=vire

And not just the large ones, but the little ones too:

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=sound+of+jingle+bells+ringing&mid=8aa56610b7cb0cffb6e48aa56610b7cb0cffb6e4&form=vire

There is something in the human psyche that draws enjoyment from the sound of bells, especially when heard in the context of a significant event.

Somehow it creates a certain satisfaction, even a pleasure.

But this extends as well into other, not necessarily religious, events.

We are all familiar with the custom in play at numerous cancer treatment facilities, namely the ringing of a bell to mark the successful conclusion of one's treatment:

a woman beating breast cancer:

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=ringing+bell+after+cancer+treatment&mid=4faefb49ae0ce76e10a94faefb49ae0ce76e10a9&form=vire

and a gentleman celebrating his beating down of the PCa beast:

https://www.facebook.com/advocatehealthcare/videos/1027819814258096/

So whenever, during this month of December, we hear the sound of Christmas bells, let us remember as well that, for some, the sound of bells ringing in this festive month of December, and in every month for that matter, will also mark the victories of those patients over their own manifestations of the beast.

Bells signifying the happening of wonderful events, in more ways than one!

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=i+heard+the+bells+on+christmas+day+song&mid=a625203409980616792aa625203409980616792a&form=vire

We have a bell in the hall of the radiation department which is rung after all the sessions are completed.
My last session of SBRT was very long because my bladder was not full enough so it being late in the day and taking so long that by the time I got dressed, everyone went home!
I rang the bell anyway!

Glen

I forgot to mention if you've heard of Ben's Bells, the story originated in Tucson. I believe it's now nation wide/world wide.