IT WAS A SILENT NIGHT #
SCRIPTURE READING — LUKE 2:1-7
Many people all throughout the world consider “Silent Night” to be their all-time favourite Christmas music. The softness of its tune conjures up images of a “heavenly tranquillity” in which “everything is serene.”
However, the traditional depiction of Jesus’ birth is anything from serene. An angelic host makes a joyful announcement about the splendour of God as it soars over the pastures close to Bethlehem. When they got back to town, the shepherds packed into a stable together with the sheep, oxen, camels, and presents. And in the middle of all of that activity, the infant Jesus is probably hiding someplace.
Luke 2:7 — And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
A CHANGE IN ORDER #
But hang on a second. The arrival of the wise men is delayed until much later. Therefore, let us remove them from the equation and the presents they brought. And neither a barn nor a stall is mentioned; just a manger is mentioned. Therefore, it is possible that there are no animals and livestock there either.
Now let us go back in time to around an hour or two after the birth of Jesus. A little while later, when the shepherds see Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger, there will be a commotion.
Luke 2:16 — So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.
But for the time being, all that we can make out in the flickering light of the lamp is Mary, Joseph, and their newborn child. Mary is so worn out that she has fallen asleep. Joseph could also be able to get some much-needed sleep. While all is going on, Mary’s newborn child, who is safely covered up and satisfied after having His first meal, is able to observe light, shadow, and movement with his brand-new eyes. Let us remain seated here in complete silence for the time being.
And now, let us step back and take in the big view. The God responsible for all creation is a newborn infant who watches the movement of shadows.
PRAYER #
Lord Jesus, on that night so very long ago, you came to be “God with us,” becoming one of us in the process. Thank you, Father. Amen.
