A Simple Swiss Bell Pattern

A very simple pattern of a bell that you may print, cut and trace around on fabric,
 cardboard and Styrofoam for your Chrismon crafting

       "It is not known exactly when bells were introduced into the Christian Church; but it is certain that large bells of the form with which we are familiar were not invented until after some centuries of  Christianity. The small and often clandestine congregations of the ages of persecution needed no audible signal to call them together; but with the advent of peaceful times, and the growth of the  congregations, some method of summons doubtless came to be considered necessary." Beauchamp

Bell Symbolism in Chrismon Ornaments

This stained glass pattern of a lady musician ringing church bells may be printed and colored in. Hang it on your Chrismon or Christmas tree to remember the symbolism behind bells at Advent.

       A church bell in the Christian tradition is a bell which is rung in a church for a variety of church purposes, and can be heard outside the building. Traditionally they were used to call worshipers to the church for a communal service, and to announce times of daily prayer, called the canonical hours. They are also rung on special occasions such as a wedding, or a funeral service. In some religious traditions they are used within the liturgy of the church service to signify to people that a particular part of the service has been reached. The ringing of church bells, in the Christian tradition, is also believed to drive out demons.

       The traditional European church bell (see cutaway drawing) used in Christian churches worldwide consists of a cup-shaped metal resonator with a pivoted clapper hanging inside which strikes the sides when the bell is swung. It is hung within a steeple or bell tower of a church or religious building, so the sound can reach a wide area. Such bells are either fixed in position ("hung dead") or hung from a pivoted beam (the "headstock") so they can swing to and fro. A rope hangs from a lever or wheel attached to the headstock, and when the bell ringer pulls on the rope the bell swings back and forth and the clapper hits the inside, sounding the bell. Bells that are hung dead are normally sounded by hitting the sound bow with a hammer or occasionally by a rope which pulls the internal clapper against the bell.

       A church may have a single bell, or a collection of bells which are tuned to a common scale. They may be stationary and chimed, rung randomly by swinging through a small arc, or swung through a full circle to enable the high degree of control of English change ringing.

       Before modern communications, church bells were a common way to call the community together for all purposes, both sacred and secular.

Scripture References for Bell Chrismons:

• "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
• "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name." Psalm 103:1 (NIV)
• "How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." 2 Samuel 7:22 (NIV)
• "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)

A Davidic Harp Chrismon Pattern

One etymology of Kinneret, the Hebrew name of the Sea of Galilee, is that it derives from kinnor, on account of the shape of the lake resembling that of the instrument. If this etymology is correct it may be relevant to the question of the shape of the instrument.

Davidic harps are shaped to resemble the Sea of Galilee and are often included on Chrismon trees. Above I have included a simpler version of the pattern below for those of you working with little ones. The complicated design below may be used for embroidery.

Scriptural References for Davidic Harp Chrismons:

• "O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth." Psalm 96:1 (KJV)
• "David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence." 2 Samuel 22:1-3 (NLT)
• "David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting." 1 Chronicles 29:10 (NIV)