Welcome, dear listener, I'm Joanne, your host, and tonight I'll be sharing a beautiful Christmas tale called Why the Chimes Rang by Raymond

Macauldin. It's a timeless story about the true spirit of giving, reminding us that even the smallest act of love

can create the most beautiful sound of all.

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Premium members receive one bonus bedtime story every week, early access to one chosen regular episode each month, and access to entire soothing audiobooks, all designed to help you drift off peacefully each night. You'll find the link in the show notes below.

Now, before we begin, let's take a moment to slow down and settle in.

Find a comfortable position.

Allow your eyes to gently close and take a nice deep breath in and out. Feel the weight of the day begin to melt away.

With each slow, easy breath, notice your body softening,

your shoulders, your hands your legs your legs

let yourself drift a little deeper into stillness

and imagine a gentle glow of candlelight flickering nearby, warm and comforting.

The air around you feels calm and safe and all you need to do right now is rest and listen.

And when you're ready, let's begin. I'm I'm I'm

I'm

The There was once in a faraway country where a few people have ever traveled, a wonderful church.

It stood on a high hill in the midst of a great city, and every Sunday, as well as on sacred days like Christmas, thousands of people climbed the hill to its

great archways, looking like lines of ants all moving in the same direction.

When you came to the building itself, you found stone columns and dark passages and a grand entrance leading to the main room of the church.

This room was so long that one standing at the doorway could scarcely see to the other end,

where the choir stood by the marble altar.

...