Part 5 of 35 Good news of great joy
That night, shepherds were watching their sheep in the fields near Bethlehem. Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified, but the angel said: "Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 2:10–11).
Then a great crowd of angels appeared, praising God: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!" (Luke 2:14). The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the baby lying in the manger, just as they had been told. They went home "glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20).
Imagined The tower
When something good happens in this city, the bells ring, and everyone stops to listen and celebrate.
Real world How bells sing
A bell rings when it is struck and its metal shakes, sending out waves of sound. Bell makers tune a bell by shaving metal from the inside. Some towers hold a carillon, a set of at least 23 bells played from a keyboard.
Real world A bell for freedom
The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia carries words from the Bible: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land" (Leviticus 25:10). It cracked and has not been rung regularly since 1846. In the 1830s, people campaigning to end slavery gave it its name and made it a symbol of freedom.
Art In this artwork
The illustration shows a tall white tower with an open top holding golden bells, and a gold spire.
Look closer
- Find the golden bells.
- Why is the top of the tower open?
Think about it
- Why do you think the angels told shepherds first?
- Why is the birth of a Savior called "good news of great joy"?
- What sounds mean celebration where you live?
Key words
- Savior
- Someone who saves or rescues.
- Christ
- From the Greek for "anointed one": the King God promised to send.
- Carillon
- A set of at least 23 bells played from a keyboard.
Sources
Bible quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is in the public domain. The other facts on this page come from these sources:
- The Bible, Gospel of Luke
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Bell"
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Carillon"
- National Park Service, Independence National Historical Park, "The Liberty Bell"
