Silent Night
By Susan Klein
“For He Himself is our peace”
Ephesians
2:14a (NIV)
It wasn’t really a silent night but it became one. The auditorium
quickly filled that cold December evening with noisy children, parents, and
grandparents, all coming to see their kiddos perform in the Christmas Pageant.
Dozens of little participants were backstage getting final instructions and
adjustments to their costumes before heading on. At one point during the bustle
of the program, unnoticed by anyone in the audience (except his mom), a little
boy was ushered behind a prop to remove his outer cow costume. And then, it
happened. A silence descended over the auditorium as the lights were dimmed.
One little light stood out from the candle in his hand as he stepped forward
and began to confidently sing his acapella solo.
“Silent Night, Holy Night
All is calm, all is
bright…”
It wasn’t really a silent night but it became one. Go back in
time two-thousand-plus years. A decree had been issued for a census to be taken
of the entire Roman world. That included a tremendous number of citizens.
People from all over hurried to their native city to register. Small towns
filled to overflowing with people returning to be counted. Such was the case in
Bethlehem. People and animals filled every nook and cranny. It was noisy and
chaotic. In that crowd was a young couple; she about to give birth. Looking for
a quiet and clean place to deliver amidst the chaos was challenging at best.
Meanwhile, out in the fields nearby, the shepherds tended rambunctious flocks
of sheep. Suddenly, deafening sound and blinding light descended upon them as a great company of heavenly hosts
praised God saying:
“Glory to God in the
highest,
and on earth peace to men
on whom his favor rests.”
In booming voices they proclaimed the good news of great joy which was for all people, the birth of a
long-awaited Messiah. Leaving their fields, the shepherds hurried off to see this
thing which had been proclaimed. And when they arrived at the place where the
baby lay, it happened. The night became silent, for God’s promised Peace had
just entered the world. His perfect reconciling Peace, emparted to all people,
had finally arrived. A silence filled the mother’s heart as she pondered the
wonder of all these events. The shepherds silently and humbly bowed before the
One who brought salvation, filled with awe and wonder at receiving such a great
honor. The night was filled with peace.
In your bustling and perhaps hectic holiday schedule, find time
to be silent. Allow the Peace of your Savior to settle over you and bring you
great joy.
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
Do you have this Peace? Do you desire it? Will you seek it?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan enjoys
teaching Bible studies, writing, and mentoring. She and her husband Mark enjoy
opening their home to those in need.
