Silent Night

Silent Night

We sing the songs, “Silent Night,” and “O, Little Town of Bethlehem” and we see in our minds a picture perfect event happening two thousand years ago. A quiet night, peaceful and solemn. No sounds except for the cries of a small child.

In reality, Christ was born in a town probably bustling with activity, since people were coming from all over for Caesar’s census. The streets were, in all likelihood, crowded with folks looking for lodging and a meal to eat, a place to lodge their donkeys, and maybe even a bar to down a few pitchers of their favorite wine. No doubt, the manger was probably full of noisy animals sheltered there for the night. The smell of dung and fur permeated the air. This does not sound like the scene it the songs.

But, this is the world that our savior came to. He came at an unlikely time, to an unlikely family in an unlikely place. The King of the universe did not come to us as He could have, heralding His glory from a throne. He came to us where we were, and are today. He comes to us in our messy, smelly lives, filled with all kinds of dung and uncomfortable situations. He meets us where we are. He saves us from what we have become, and like He was lifted up on His final day on earth, He lifts us up out of our degradation.

No, it wasn’t a peaceful night, but He did bring with Him the promise of peace and the hope of a better life with Him.