Encouragement

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Have you ever given much thought to the old traditional hymn titled, “Silent Night?” This is actually one of my very favorites. However as I read the famous words of the author I can’t help but to think that perhaps he was somewhat delusional.

Silent Night...Holy Night...All is calm, all is bright…

As I read the scripture passage I can only imagine the travail that Joseph and Mary encountered as they entered Bethlehem. There long travel was necessary so that they would be counted on the census that was issued by Caesar Augustus. Mary was great with child. Oh the thrill of hope she must have experienced as she rode the donkey on a long journey from her hometown in her last days of pregnancy.

As they arrived into the city it was nothing but utter chaos as men and women, children and animals all sought shelter from the elements of the night. Every inn was filled. There was no way to make reservations online or to simply call and a reserve a room. There was not one room available for Mary and Joseph. And to top it all off, Mary had gone into labor. Oh such JOY!

Now the scripture does not emphasis the point that Joseph must have pleaded with the innkeeper to at least be able to bed down in the nearby barn that night. But believe me, that if I was a man and my wife was getting ready to have a baby, I would have been anything but calm.

Now imagine with me if you will a crowded and overfilled city late at night. I am sure you could hear various conversations along with babies crying for their 2:00 a.m. feedings! Their mode of transportation was a horse, camel or a donkey. So not only were the rooms filled with people, but the barns and sheds and animal shelters were all full as well, making it all the more interesting.

Then out in the fields were the faithful shepherds guarding their flocks by night. Even out in the middle of the field at night, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the shepherds had anything but a silent night.

Luke 2: 9 says,

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”

As the passage continues, the angel says to them “Do not be afraid” Then we see appearing before the shepherds a multitude of angels praising God and saying,



“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill to men.”

(Luke 2: 14)

Now, does this sound like a peaceful, silent night event? We’re talking about a multitude of angels here praising God. Even though they did not have sound equipment to amplify their voices, I am in no doubt that the sound of praise that came from their mouths filled the night sky with a loud exuberance! After the angel proclaimed the birth of Jesus, and the angels rejoiced in heaven, scripture says the shepherds hurried off to see the baby. This still isn’t sounding very calm is it?

Back at the manger we find that our precious Lord Jesus has awakened the nighttime with his glorious appearance. And who came knocking on the door to worship him? The shepherds! They were the first visitors that the bible records. When they left they were glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. Now if I had seen Jesus, the promised Son of God in the manger as the angels had proclaimed I would have been anything but silent.

As we reflect back on that night, I pray that we continue to be anything but silent about this glorious event. We should be telling everyone we meet. We should be proclaiming the birth of God’s Son to the world. Silence is not always golden. This Christmas season, as we sing ‘Silent Night” lets remember not to remain silent in proclaiming His glorious birth: Nor shall we remain silent in declaring His soon to be glorious appearing again when Christ comes to take those called by His name - home!



Copyright © 2004 Passion House Ministries, Jane E Morin

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