Deb Happ, Freshman

Every year when the Christmas and Advent seasons come around, I feel joy in my heart and feel the magic all around. Really, who doesn’t love the beautifully unique snowflakes, the comforting hot chocolate and the jolly Christmas songs? Yes, when we think of the season, this is what many of us think of, but it wasn’t until my freshmen year in high school that I began to see Advent as such a special time aside from the festive holiday anticipation. My campus minister in high school always told this story once a year, every year, at the beginning of Advent. I’d like to share it with you, so here goes…

There once was a woman who lived a busy life full of busy days, with many busy meetings for her busy job and many busy commitments to her busy family. She finally decided to take a weekend retreat to slow down, so she went to her favorite get away cabin in the forest. There she snuggled up on the couch on Friday evening after work with her favorite book. The tea kettle was whistling from the kitchen and she felt relaxed.

But then she heard the faintest sound, of bells ringing. Jingle, jingle, jingle… As the bells continued she quickly felt herself puzzled and a bit annoyed. Who could possibly in the woods, disquieting her weekend with this persistent ringing? Finally they began to fade and eventually she fell asleep, but in the morning, before dawn she was suddenly awoken by jingle, jingle, jingle… She opened her eyes and hopped out of bed, while groaning and storming toward the door. She stepped outside mumbling, “My goodness, my whole life has noise, and now I come here to get away, but it is impossible to escape this jingling!” The jingling got closer and closer until suddenly she saw a little old woman with a necklace adorned in bells and boots with tassels around her ankles made of bells.

“Why on earth are you wearing those bells?!” she asked.

The little old woman came to a halt and, oblivious to the woman’s frustration, sweetly said, “O hello dear! I didn’t know that anyone else lived in this forest! I’m sorry that my bells have been ringing – have you heard them?”

The woman snipped, “Why yes I have, in fact. Why do you insist on making such a ruckus?”

The lady responded, “Well, you see, Jesus is coming! Yes, Jesus is coming and every time I hear these bells, I snap to the moment and notice His presence here, right now, with every ringing of the bell. I am reminded and that He will come again one day, so I must be joyous!”

The woman with the bells then departed, but the first woman reflected on the bells her entire weekend, and would never hear bells the same way again.

Every time I recall that story, I think about the truth of it. How easy is it to get wrapped up in the business of life, especially around finals week. So even here, at UIC, I may not hear bells ringing reminding me of the true spirit of the season, but I can hear the ringing of the bells resonating in my mind and heart as I walk around the campus. So although it is easy to sympathize with the busy woman, I challenge myself and now challenge you to be like the little old woman who cannot go one step without feeling His presence and joy with expectations of His coming, both at Christmas and once again in the future. So happy holidays; God bless you all, and next time you hear a bell ring, smile and think – Yes, Jesus loves me, is here right now and will come again one day. I promise you, if you take this story to heart, you will never hear a bell the same again – it will be an even sweeter sound because following the ringing you will say “Jesus is coming!”

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!

With love from your sister in Christ,

Deb Happ, Freshman