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
is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible
studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of
the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a Wednesday Night Community small
group.
