There is not a lot of quiet at Christmas.
I find the older I get, the more I desire quiet.
There are parties, programs, traditions, and memory-making moments. These are all wonderful and have their rightful place, but sometimes I wonder is this what Christmas really should be?
Give yourself a few quiet moments and join me as I share my thoughts on quiet at Christmas.
This past weekend we had our candlelight service at our church. It was a time of learning more about our Lord and Savior, but also time to be still, quiet, and yet worshiping the One who came.
I loved it. I could have sat there with my little battery-powered candle for longer. I enjoyed the time of focus being on quiet contemplation before the Lord in a softly lit space without the distractions of the busyness of life.
After a continually busy week, today I am finally able to have a day at home - and for the most part I am all alone.
However, I am not really all alone. I have the One with me Who did come as a baby so long ago...
Emmanuel - God WITH us.
Do we truly take time to ponder the fact that God is WITH us? God the Father sent His only Son to earth to redeem us to Himself.
That little baby that Mary held would one day bear the weight of MY sin on the cross of Calvary.
That baby.
Can you imagine what Mary felt as she held the Savior? She had a lot to endure in her waiting as she was considered an outcast by her people for expecting a child before she was married to Joseph. She had probably dealt with a lot of ridicule.
Now, here she was - many miles away from home in Bethlehem. An innkeeper told Joseph and Mary he had no room for them in his inn. Too much was going on in Bethlehem with the census. Too much busyness. How many of us have been just like that innkeeper and not had any room for Christ at Christmas? How many people have no room for Him at ANY time of the year?
The stable was not the optimal place for a baby to be born - let alone the Savior of the world. Here the Christ child was born - the One Who left Heaven's throne to become one of us. Emmanuel.
I have to wonder if the stable was at least a quiet place. It had to have been away from the hustle and bustle of the middle of Bethlehem. I have to also wonder if the animals knew that something special and amazing was happening. Were they more quiet that night?
Mary holds baby Jesus for the first time. She checks out his hands and feet just as I did when I had my two babies. Even though she knew Jesus came to save us, did she really understand the pain He would suffer for her sake - for my sake? Those sweet hands and feet would one day be pierced through and He would hang on a cross to redeem His people from sin. This Momma is reflecting on how Mary kept all of those things in her heart.
Joseph is in awe of this miracle before Him. I am sure He felt as any new parent - clueless as to what to do next, but overjoyed at the new life before him. This new life Joseph was looking down upon would one day bring NEW LIFE to all who believe in what He did on the cross of Calvary - and in His resurrection. This new life is new every morning in my own life because of my Lord's faithfulness.
Those lowly shepherds - the first to hear of the Savior's birth - were so excited to see him they immediately searched for him. Mary and Joseph had to have been surprised with these men bumbling their way into the stable. Jesus, our Shepherd, was visited first by shepherds. Those shepherds, who watched over sheep, were the first to see the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. They could not wait to tell others of what they had seen. Am I telling others of what I know of my Savior?
The Wise Men - they were on a journey to find what they had been reading about in Old Testament Scriptures and observing in God's Creation. They found Him - as they were led to Him by light of Creation. They presented Him valuable gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. What gifts do I pour out before my Savior each day? Am I committed to my journey to seek Him with all of my heart?
Simeon in the Temple - He was able to see the Savior. He knew Jesus would be a light to lighten the Gentiles. It makes me reflect differently on the lights on my Christmas tree - what a picture of Christ. He illuminates my heart through His Word so that I may know Him more. He is the Light in this dark world and I am to follow His example.
Let's not forget that manger in which Jesus was laid. The Lord has shown me a deeper perspective of that manger this year. Jesus was laid in a manger made out of rough wood - He was nailed to a cross made from rough wood. In the humility of His birth He came - and in the cruelty of His death He saved. And He did it all for you and me that we might "know Him and the power of His resurrection." Philippians 3:10a
Without Christmas there would be no Cross.
Without the Cross there would be no Resurrection.
In each moment of birth, death, and resurrection - there was Quiet.
Take the time to be Quiet at Christmas before the One Who gave all for you.
".... in quietness and confidence shall be your strength....." Isaiah 30:15