All Snug in Our Beds

 

[Jesus said] “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV).

 

Clement Clarke Moore was born on July 15, 1779, in New York City.  He received a BA from Columbia College in 1798 and an MA in 1801. Moore was the author of Poems, which included the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Popularly known as “The Night before Christmas,” this iconic children’s poem was first published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel in 1823. You may recall the following first stanza:

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

 

“All snug in their beds” is another way of describing “peaceful.” However, there are times when a word gets watered down to the point of losing its meaning.  I think the word “peace” is a classic example of this. It has become rather ordinary.  It means, “I hope things go well for you.” It means, “Our countries aren’t shooting at each other right now.”  This is the peace that we’ve settled for: a decent set of personal circumstances or the absence of active combat.

 

But when the Bible talks about peace it means something totally different.  On a personal level, it is a rock solid assurance that nothing can ever change the most important things in our lives.  On a broader scale it refers to something greater than a cease-fire. It speaks of nations working together in trust and friendship and respect.  This kind of peace is very rare. This is a peace only Jesus can bring. As we light the candle of peace, consider what a precious commodity peace is.  Remember that it has a single source: the baby that was born on Christmas. Jesus is the only source that allows us to get snug in our beds!