Or...Was It?
By Susan Klein
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”
Luke 2:14
“Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright...” Or was it? While listening to this familiar carol recently, the words gave me cause to ponder. I believe the actual scenario was anything but silent, or even calm for that matter.
We love to think of the infant birth as something sweet and tender…peaceful even. Let’s refresh our memories a bit. The birth took place in Bethlehem, where thousands of people, many with large families and livestock, had gathered for the census. So many in fact, that there was no place left for Mary and Joseph to lodge. And, since they were most likely not the last two people to arrive, many others were also without accommodations. I imagine people and animals were crammed into every nook and cranny to be found. This might make for more than a few disgruntled campers!
Let’s also remember that Mary was a teen girl, giving birth in less than ideal conditions. And she had only Joseph as her midwife. (How calmly might your husband handle this assignment?!!) I believe it would be safe to assume that there were more than a few cries of pain, especially after being jostled about on a donkey for several days. (No quiet hospital room or epidural for Mary!) And those of us who’ve experienced labor and childbirth know that it is about as peaceful as a wrestling match!
Even the skies were not quiet. When the angels appeared it was quite the magnificent event, leaving the shepherds shaking in their sandals! ”Shepherds quake at the sight...”
No, I do not think our Savior entered the world on a silent or a calm night. I believe God brought Him into the world amidst great chaos. And I believe it was intentional. Both Isaiah and Micah prophesied about a promised ruler from Bethlehem who would not only bring peace into the world, but be our peace. God knew that our imperfect world could never truly know peace until He provided it; until Peace came to live upon it.
In the chaos of a town overflowing with weary travelers and animals, amidst the cries of pain, while the skies were filled with loud proclamations by great heavenly hosts, Peace was born in a manger. “Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.”
GOING DEEPER:
1. Take some time this week to meditate on the wonders surrounding the birth of our Savior. Ask God to reveal to you things from His Word that you might not have noticed before.
FURTHER READING:
Micah 5:5; Isaiah 53:5; Acts 10:35-36
Susan is We Women's Tuesday Morning Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark lead a couples' small group in their home; she is also involved in inner city outreach.
