Silent Night - Holy Night

 

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7 ESV).

 

This is the time of the year when we hear Christmas carols nearly everywhere we go. “Silent Night” is a favorite Christmas song for many people around the world. Its gentle melody suggests a “heavenly peace” in which “all is calm.” However, our usual picture of Jesus’ birth is far from calm. Above the fields near Bethlehem, an angel army sings out, announcing the glory of God. Back in town, shepherds and wise men and sheep, cows, camels, and gifts are all crowded together in a stable. And somewhere amid all that commotion is the baby Jesus.

 

Of course, we know the wise men don’t show up until later. So, let’s take them out of the picture, along with their gifts. And there’s no mention of a stable, just a manger, a feeding trough. So, there might not be animals there either. Now let’s back up to the first hour or two after Jesus’ birth. Commotion will come later, when the shepherds find “Mary and Joseph, and the baby ying in the manger” (Luke 2:16). But for now, as lamplight flickers, all we can see is Mary and the baby and Joseph. Exhausted, Mary is fast asleep. Joseph might be able to rest too. Meanwhile, Mary’s snugly wrapped baby, content from his first feeding, sees light, shadow, and movement with his newborn eyes. Let’s stay right where we are, silent as night. And let’s take in that picture. The God of all creation is a newborn baby watching shadows sway.

 

There is a sense of silence as the angels look on in amazement at work of God. No one could have predicted this event had God not revealed it in earlier prophecies. Even then, no one suspected that this was how the Messiah would be born. Yet, it is perfect. God put on humanity in all of its frailty so that He might redeem mankind and His creation. That deserves a bit of “silence” as we look on at the holiness of this birth!