Silent Night, Holy Night (12/24/14)

As we attended a Christmas concert earlier this month, we heard beautiful music composed in countries all around the world. Some of the songs had been written fairly recently while others have been listened to and enjoyed for centuries. The choir and orchestra were very talented and the music was stunning. Yet the song that I enjoyed the most was a well-known carol being sung, a little off-key, but with all her heart, by my 93-year-old companion, Helen. She had appreciated all of the beautiful music that she had heard. But she knew that final song and could truly join in the praise. Silent Night filled both my ears and my heart in that tender moment.

This familiar hymn will be sung by millions around the world today. It is a beautiful song depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. In many Christmas carols the night of Jesus birth is heralded. There was darkness not only in the sky, but in the world that the Son of God entered. No fanfare was heard as the baby was born. Silently He entered this world to change it forever. A new star lit the sky that night, but most never noticed the change. To all appearances, He entered silently as any other baby boy. 

We can remember this truth in the darkness and silence of our lives. The Lord will enter and change everything. The moment of His entrance may go mostly unnoticed. Like the shepherds, we can hear God’s message of the great work beginning. “Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].” (Luke 2:13-14 AMP) We may get excited and rejoice greatly in the promises of God’s deliverance. But the night may not change visibly and life may go on for a period of time before we can see the miracle of God’s work in our lives. We cannot despise the silent nights of our lives. For it is in that time that the greatest miracles begin. 

Times in life may appear to be one long night. The voice of God may seem to be far off and more a memory than a current conversation. Almost imperceptibly, His power and love have entered in and begun a mighty work. This work may even be the greatest of our lives. We must trust and let the work mature in the timing and leading of the Lord. 

The story of Jesus does not end in a manger in Bethlehem. In fact He doesn’t stay in Bethlehem very long at all. He moves about, grows up and changes the world. He performs the work that God has intended to reunite man with Himself. Perhaps the most silent, dark nights were those in which the body of Jesus Christ lay in the tomb prior to His resurrection. The story continues with the glorious morning of the resurrection that mankind is reconciled to God and the power of eternal death is defeated. The ending of the story is yet to come with the glorious return of Jesus Christ to take His people home. “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him,” (Revelation 1:7a AMP) 

Until the time we see him riding on the clouds, we must claim the promise that He has given. “And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3 AMP) He will return for us and in the meantime He will care for us and intervene to bring deliverance to our lives. 

So the next time you sing Silent Night, think about the baby in the manger. Remember how Jesus came into this world of darkness with very little evidence of His appearance. And cling to the promise that He will come into your darkest and most silent nights.

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glories stream from heaven above
Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.