The Bell Ringer
"Ring-a-ding-ding. Ringity-dingity-ding." The sound floated towards me as I
walked across a parking lot the other day. I had enjoyed a rare lunch out with
my daughter and decided to do a little Christmas shopping before heading home.
The department store looked warm on that chilly, wintry day and the ringing bell
beckoned me with its sweet music.
As I got to the store entrance I saw the music maker. He was an old bell ringer
working tirelessly beside the Salvation Army bucket at the front of the store.
His lean frame and scruffy white beard made him look like an underfed Santa
Claus in blue jeans. His eyes sparkled and his face shined with a youthful
energy as he rang out a joyful rhythm with his little bell. I fished a bill out
of my wallet and dropped it in the bucket. The bell ringer smiled and said, "God
bless you. Have a Merry Christmas!" With a warm, raspy voice.
I went into the store and tried to look around at all the items for sale but my
eyes kept drifting back to that wonderful music maker out front. His aged arm
never stopped ringing. His merry bell never stopped singing. His body may have
been old but his spirit was younger than mine.
His warm soul seemed immune to the cold, blustery winds. His vitality seemed to
come from Heaven itself. His efforts may not have helped to feed every hungry
child or help every homeless family. Yet, he was working with all of his heart
to help those he could. With a loving spirit and swinging arm he was making this
world a better place. I stood there wondering what this planet of ours would be
like if only all of us did the same.
May we all follow the shining example of this skinny Santa in blue jeans. May
our hearts ring out with God’s love. May our strong arms never tire of helping
others in need. And may we all do everything we can to make this world a more
Heavenly place at Christmastime and always.
Joseph J. Mazzella
joemazzella@frontier.com