[Cronos]

Tsgt: Just the other night my brother-in-law was telling me about how they knew when to stand or sit during Christmas mass based on the ringing of the bell, etc...

Al : Unfortunately, it sounds like your brother-in-law should actually go to Mass sometime. The only time there is ringing of the bell during Mass is when everyone is supposed to be kneeling.

There is always just enough wrong in these little " I know a Catholic..." anecdotes to know when they're bogus.

very good point, I missed that -- the ringing of the bell isn't to tell one to stand or sit, but only rung at the time of Eucharist and sometimes if there is no altarboy, then when Christ comes down amongst us, we KNOW we must kneel in front of Our Lord and Our God, Jesus Christ.

[OpusatFR]

Was it you who posted the order of the Mass with its Scriptural citations? That was a very good explanation of the Bible basis of the Mass.