Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way Bells on bobtails ring. Making spirits bright What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight! Chorus: Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh, hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh

A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride. And soon, Miss Fanny Bright was seated by my side. The horse was lean and lank. Misfortune seemed his lot. He got into a drifted bank and then we got upsot. A day or two ago, the story I must tell. I went out on the snow and on my back I fell. A gent was riding by in a one-horse open sleigh. He laughed as there I sprawling lie But quickly drove away.

Now the ground is white. Go it while you're young Now the ground is white. Go it while you're young. Take the girls tonight and sing this sleighing song. Just get a bobtailed bay, two forty as his speed Hitch him to an open sleigh and crack, you'll take the lead! Chorus: Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh, hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh

in his new town, longing for the joys After moving from Medford, MA to Savannah, GA… James Pierpoint likely wrote this song during his 1st snowless winter in his new town, longing for the joys of sleigh riding.

Just like “Let It Snow”, “Jingle Bells” is NOT a Christmas/holiday song. It’s a song filled with longing for fun & joy, mixed in with a desire for danger and flirtation.

For a Christian, at Christmastime and all the time… it’s very important to find our joy in God, not in our life circumstances, hobbies, or relationships.

Isaiah 52: 9-10 9 “Burst into songs of joy together,    you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted His people,    He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The LORD will lay bare His holy arm    in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.”

Luke 1: 39-45 Wanting to affirm the angel’s words to her, Mary travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

God used them to bless each other. These two women… separated by many years… were blessed with what is called “the joy of the Lord” in the midst of confusing life circumstances. God used them to bless each other.

Luke 1: 46-55 Blessed by Elizabeth’s affirmation of the angel’s word to her about her upcoming pregnancy… Mary speaks out in joy and in prophecy about the justice of God.

Luke 1: 67-69 After initially failing to believe the angel’s prophecy relating to his son’s birth and being struck mute…Zechariah rejoices and prophecies after John is born.

“May the God of hope fill you with Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In “Jingle Bells”, we are taught: To seek many, lust-based relationships; not to seek “righteous romance.” To seek out thrills and not to be at peace. That you should seek out fun, rather than be filled with the joy of the Lord.