It is a hectic season. Responsibilities with work, family and church overflow my days. Unloading my work tote, I discovered a leaf lying on the bottom of the bag. I grab it impatiently, but on my short journey to the trash I can notice its beauty. Something makes me stop to look more closely at the leaf. It is deep burnt orange and bright crimson swirled together, so incredibly rich, like a sunset in my hand. The crisp, jagged outline and stem, so perfectly crafted by the Creator, yet no longer connected to its source of sustenance.
BE STILL!
I realize God placed the leaf in my bag to draw my attention to Him in the middle of my hectic life. The Creator and Sustainer of the Universe intentionally reaches out to me with an invitation to connect with Him. So, I pause and decide to accept His invitation. I am seen, loved, cared for by my Beloved. He asks me to linger. It is wonderful to be fully in His presence. In those moments, the words from Psalm 46:10 sink deeply into my soul: “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God” comes alive in me. I carefully place the leaf aside, as pause for heart-to-heart connection with God.
THE DISCONNECTED LEAF
Days later, I picked the leaf up again, but the leaf in no way resembles its previous beauty. It is an ugly blotched brown, dry, shriveled and crumbling. No longer is it connected to its source of life.
Oh Lord Jesus, is this what you mean when you tell us to stay connected to You, The Vine? When I take time to connect with You, my spirit is alive, vibrant, and beautiful. But when I discard time with You and focus only on the cares of this world, my spirit quickly becomes dry, brown, and crumbled. I do not resemble the creation You intended me to be and cannot do the things You created me to do. “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Jesus, in this season when we prepare to celebrate Your coming to earth, draw us to You every moment. Help us keep our eyes and heart fixed on You, not on the distractions swirling around us. Constantly remind us to intentionally connect with You.
Can you imagine the noise and confusion greeting Mary and Joseph? No peace to be found there.
Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. …… sleep in heavenly peace. I love You Lord, I worship You. Hope which was lost now stands renewed; I give my life to honor this, the love of Christ the Savior King
BETHLEHEM’S CHAOS
Bethlehem was a loud chaotic mess that night. The Roman emperor, Augustus, demanded a census be taken throughout the Empire so all would register for a tax. Under Roman law, thousands of people were ordered by the government to travel to their ancestral cities. Augustus forced a highly resentful captive people to travel in harsh conditions in order to hand over their hard-earned cash. Hope departed long ago for any lasting peace.
NO PEACE TO BE FOUND
When Mary and Joseph arrived at Bethlehem, they found a town not equipped to handle a huge influx of visitors. Both food and lodging were scare. Can you imagine the noise and confusion greeting these travelers? No peace to be found here.
A very pregnant Mary and Joseph finally lodged in a cave in the company of animals. No quiet birthing suite to be had. At the baby’s first cry, a giant chorus of angels began singing, inviting an influx of shepherds and sheep to the mix at the stable. So, “silent night” as we would normally picture, did not apply here.
CREATION NOW HAD A FUTURE
However, if one understands “silent night, holy night” as the Creator coming to the forefront, it is a whole different matter. God thwarts Satan before the face of all the universe by the birth of King Jesus in the manger. The Creator gives notice to the Evil One. God expresses His holiness in a tiny baby. Creation now owns a future.
WHY WE CAN SING
That’s why we can sing, quieting all our worries, troubles, tears, and woes. “I love You Lord, I worship You. Hope lost, now stands renewed.” God laid the way to permanently break the barrier of sin which separates us from a holy God. “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). The only honorable response from us can be: “I give my life to honor this, the (absolute) love of Christ the Savior King.”
HOPE LOST, NOW STANDS RENEWED
Peace with God; finally achieved. That is the calmness, the brightness and significance of this night. Chaotic Bethlehem births the major step toward eternal peace with God. Hallelujah! “Hope which lost, now stands renewed.”
I struggle with all types of fears, both real and imagined. This past week I journeyed into my deepest fears. My husband landed in the hospital and still is there as I write this. I seem to either expand in trusting God or I flounder in despair. What does God say to my heart during these times of turbulence? He points to Mary.
GOD’S FAVOR
Only a simple teenage girl, Mary, came from a backwater town. So why did God choose Mary? God never provides any extensive explanation. The angel announces to Mary that she is chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. God “favors” this unwed girl to give birth to the Chosen One, the Savior of the world. She only knows that God chose her. God “favors” her.
I always connect “favor” with honor: someone given front row seats, the keys to the city and a crown on their head. It is hard to combine the concept of favor with heartbreak. Can God favor me even when my heart breaks?
FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY MIXED WITH JOY
In Luke 1 the angels twice calls Mary “favored by God”; blessed by God. He makes her the most honored woman on earth, but she will become intimately acquainted with the worst heartbreak known to humanity. At the angel’s initial announcement, she feels both fear and uncertainty mixed with joy. This expands and painfully stretches her heart year by year. She sees her beloved Son grow up and do the unexpected, time after time. Her sinless Son lives in a broken world, attacked by the forces of hell. Can you feel her fear?
GOD IS NEAR
This favored woman daily needs the angel’s words to resonate in her heart: The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near, do not fear. In this time of great uncertainty, I also need this promise and hope. The God who redeems me and ever keeps me is near.Do not fear.
HELD BY THE HAND OF GOD
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
We knew this was serious. It wasn’t long before the question was not if he would be deployed, but rather when.
“Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright,” and so, the beloved carol begins. But all was not calm in December of 1990. Four months earlier, Iraq had invaded Kuwait, setting off a chain of events that we feared could lead to war. As the world watched the situation unfold with unease, for me and my husband, the impending threat of war hit closer to home. Mike was a soldier in the Army National Guard. We knew this was serious. It wasn’t long before the question was not if he would be deployed, but rather when.
CHOOSING BETWEEN TRUST AND FEAR
In the midst of the uncertainty, our first child was born in mid-October. We were thrilled at our son’s birth and worked hard to stay focused on enjoying each moment. Even though I had an extended maternity leave to settle into the joys, and sleepless nights, of motherhood, it was a daily struggle. I had to choose between my trust in God’s providence and a real fear of what was to come.
THE REALITY OF SEPARATION
In November, Mike received his orders. He would train for a few weeks at Ft. Indiantown Gap and then set off for the Middle East. We were blessed to find out that he would be home for Christmas, but our joy at the coming celebration of Christ’s birth was greatly overshadowed by the reality of separation that lay ahead.
At the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, words of kindness and love poured over us as we chatted with those in our congregation. I treasured the sincere promises of prayers for our family. But I could not shake the heavy weight of sadness in my heart. Would this be our last Christmas together? How was I going to make it through the separation?
MARY FACED AN UNPREDICTABLE FUTURE
Is this what Mary felt as she held her babe in her arms that night? She also faced an unpredictable future. The uncertainty was overwhelming. As we began to sing Silent Night and light the candles, my outward calm veneer cracked and the tears that I had been fighting began pouring out. Holding our son in my arms, Mike and I wept silently together.
WE WERE NOT ALONE
In that moment I felt God’s almighty presence. I knew that we were not alone. God would see us through whatever was to come. Psalm 46:1 promises us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
It has been almost 34 years since that Christmas Eve, and yet every time I sing Silent Night and light a candle to celebrate Jesus’ birth, the memory of that night brings tears to my eyes. I remember God’s faithfulness in that situation and in all the years afterward. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be silent, and know that I am God.” In the silence of the little town of Bethlehem, Jesus was born. And as we rest silently in the Lord, we are assured of His presence and care over us.
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and child; Holy Infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar; heavenly hosts sing halleluiah! Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face; with the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus Lord at Thy birth. Jesus Lord at Thy birth!
1,747 years of our repeatedly being told to be quiet, hushed before God
The lyrics to this hymn date back at least to 275 AD. Do the math, that’s 1, 747 years of our repeatedly being told to be quiet, hushed, and to be so in awe that we are left speechless. That is a huge quantity of silence.
WE CAN’T ADD TO GOD’S GIFT
What are we to be in awe about? When we realize that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, we can do to add to God’s gift; nothing that we can do to make it better. In astonishment, we are to fall on our faces in full worship mode, witnessing to all creation that He alone is due full honor and respect.
THE ANGELS UNDERSTOOD THE PRICE TO BE PAID
The angels understood the sacrifice when Christ came to this earth to be born as a man. In horror, they knew in vivid detail what our world was like. Can you imagine the expression on their faces when they looked down at our earth? They understood the price required to finally and totally wipe out the debt for our sin. The price paid by Christ to make us His own.
THE MYSTERY AND THE WONDER IN “GOD WITH US”
Do you think a holy hush went through heaven when the gift was given, when heaven heard that newborn’s cry in the stable? The angels comprehended the undeserved blessing that had been given to mankind. They could not fathom God’s love for us. There are no words that can adequately describe the mystery, the wonder, and the homage due to the Christ becoming Emmanuel, God with us. Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand. Be quiet, hushed and so in awe that you are left speechless.
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; Ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
God said, “I shall be with you tomorrow”. This is not a casual, “See ‘ya later, alligator!”
Who would have thought that the original text for this Latin chant contained a reverse acrostic (called an “ere cras”). Translated: “I shall be with you tomorrow”. This is not a casual, “See ‘ya later, alligator!” This was a promise made by the Eternal God of His presence. That’s why God gave His Son the name Emmanuel which literally means “God with us”.
GROWING IN CONFIDENT HOPE
The lyrics of this chant were written around the 8th century and meant to be sung antiphonally which would entail alternate singing by two choirs, often on opposite sides of the sanctuary. The first choir would sing O come, O come, Emmanuel and while the sound waves still resonated across the expanse, the 2nd choir would begin singing And ransom captive Israel. And so, they would alternately sing line after line, ever growing in confidant hope, as the building reverberated with the glorious sounds.
FROM MOURNING TO REJOICING
Their words commemorated a people who had literally been mourning in lonely exile from God. Then all heaven broke loose singing the Son of God appears! Rejoice! Rejoice! Break out in rapture, exuberant song, cheering jubilation! This is not the half-hearted clapping for someone receiving a participation award. This is the full throttle universal stamping of feet because God has won! The highway leading to eternal separation from God now offered an off-ramp leading to eternal community, companionship, and peace with God.
GOD WITH US
For all of you longing, hungering for God, His promise has been fulfilled. O Lord, make safe the way that leads to Thee and close the path to misery. God is with us!
O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, oh Israel” O come, Thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe the way that leads to thee and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, oh Israel
As a teenager, I stood out on my back porch and wondered if I had any personal connection to God.
As a teenager, I stood out on my back porch and wondered if I had any personal connection to God. Earlier that night at youth group, the leader asked us individually to pray out loud during the meeting. I realized I didn’t know who I was praying to.
WHAT DID MARY’S QUESTION MEAN?
Mary had her own questions, “What child is this who lay to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping” This was first asked by Mary. From the very beginning Mary knew that this child was going to be incredibly special, but what did that exactly mean?
THE AUTHOR OF THIS CAROL
William Chatterton Dix wrote this carol in 1865. He worked for an insurance company until afflicted by a life-threatening illness. His illness caused him to go into a severe depression, wanting to give up on life. But God had other plans.
Dix discovered a Bible during this time and began to read it. Writing this hymn and combining it with the truths of scripture were able to bring Dix to a fuller understanding about the question, “What child is this.” This is the same question Mary had from the very beginning; the same question the shepherds had; the same question I asked on my back porch. Over the centuries countless individuals have pondered this.
THE ANSWER TO ALL QUESTIONS
And then the writer gives the only answer he can: This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing, haste, haste, to bring him laud, the babe, the Son of Mary.
THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM
Make this a special Christmas; don’t just sing the song that asks: What child is this? But for the first time admit that He is Christ the King. Discover when you are depressed and lost, the King is the only One that can help. Realize that when you have questions about life and family and personal struggles, the King is ready to give answers through His Word, the Bible. He helped Mary and William Dix. And He helped me standing on my back porch to become a child of God.
What Child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.
The holy invitation to His presence may not look like we imagine but when we are lost in our journey, we are not alone.
It wasn’t until my teen years that my family began to not have to constantly struggle financially, and my mom would go all out with decorating our house for Christmas, finding ways to make the season special. Twinkling lights, beautiful ornaments, special music, family gatherings, and traditions had an almost magical effect that brought a reprieve from the constant struggle and worry which usually hung over our household. I loved Christmas.
THE CHRISTMAS I WAS FIFTEEN
I discovered I was pregnant three weeks before Christmas the year I was 15. No twinkling lights, traditions, or special music could offer relief from the struggle, worry, and fear that resided in my heart. I was lost. Alone. Over the next few months, that struggle intensified until Jesus met me where I was. I surrendered my all to Him.
Christmas the next year was a beautiful experience. I matured knowing the One celebrated and understood the reality of His coming in a way I never had before. He was with me every moment, even when I felt abandoned and betrayed by others.
GOD MET ME IN THE MOMENT
As a teen mom, I worked hard to raise my daughter well. I completed school and honored God with my life. Then my father suddenly died a week after I graduated. Another significant relationship ended abruptly only two months after that. I had no desire to celebrate anything that year. I felt lost in life, very much alone, desolate. Each day I forced myself to go through the motions. Even though my sister and her family were stationed in CA, they walked through the front door on Christmas morning of that year. It surprised us all! God met me in that moment, using her physical presence as a balm to my spirit. Christ knew my needs and deepest desires and was with me, even in my heartbreak.
SORROW AND JOY
Once I got married, I experienced Christmas joy for several years, with my husband, Frank, and our two children, Hannah and Anthony. We didn’t have much but I enjoyed doing all I could to make the holiday special, just as my mom had done. Then arrived the year, two weeks before Christmas, when we experienced a miscarriage. I hated Christmas. The joy-filled people, decorations, and carols were vinegar on my wounds. My heart was heavy for a long time. However, by the next Christmas, we were expecting the birth of our third child, Veronica.
I learned enough to know that a holiday itself cannot hold the promise of complete joy. Years passed, and then came the time I was really looking forward to: celebrating Christmas with our family which now including a son-in-law, two grandchildren, and a daughter-in-law.
THEN CAME JUNE
But that June my son experienced a medical emergency. As the EMTs were working on him in the house, my daughter-in-law and I waited together in my car, praying. From the depths of my soul, I begged for the presence of God to be with us no matter what the day ahead held. Immediately, I was aware that Christ’s name is Emmanuel. Literally, “God with us”.
THE DARKNESS OF SORROW
A tangible peace filled that space as I begged God for Anthony’s life, recited back to God what His Word says about who He is, what He can do, and declared our faith. No matter what, we would stand on the truth of God and His word – as long as He remained with us. Anthony met Jesus face to face that morning. Devastation and heartbreak like I have never known descended on me that day.
EMMANUEL IS HERE
God’s presence doesn’t always look like I think it will. My heart is the heaviest it has ever been with this enormous, gaping Anthony-sized hole. I often feel shattered. This grief would utterly consume were it not for Emmanuel. God with me. Emmanuel has been exhibited through the practical love and care provided by His people. Emmanuel has been there as I weep with my husband and family. I may feel alone, but I am not consumed. He is there as I learn to live each day without my son’s physical presence.
HE MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE AND HOLDS YOUR HEAVY HEART
The holy invitation to His presence may not look like we imagine but when we are helpless, heartbroken, lost in our journey, we are not alone. His invitation is open to you, too. He will meet you where you are and hold your heavy heart. So often, we imagine and sing of God coming to save us in the most triumphant display of power and authority. And sometimes in this life, He does. Someday He most definitely will. But this Christmas season, and until that glorious day of Christ’s return, no matter what is happening in your life, I invite you to experience with me that He is Emmanuel. God with us.
Emmanuel, He meets you where you are, He holds your heavy heart, Our God is with us all
How did I have miss including Jesus’s name on my gift list for so many years?
Our family likes to use an app to create our own personalized wish list so we can shop for each other. Giving someone what they really want guarantees to bring a smile, right? One year before shopping, I looked down my gift giving list: our parents, the kids, grandparents, and friends. I realized Jesus’ name was not on the list.
HOW DID I MISS JESUS’ NAME ON THE GIFT LIST?
For the past 35 Christmas’s our family has gathered around a decorated birthday cake for Jesus. We sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. How did I have miss including Jesus’s name on my gift list for so many years? Since Christmas is Jesus’ world-wide birthday party, giving Him a gift should be a no-brainer for me. Since I cannot simply send Jesus an invite to join our family wish-list on the app, I began asking Him what He would like from me for His birthday.
WHAT IS ON CHRIST’S WISH LIST?
I pray, “Lord, what is on your wish-list? What meaningful gift can I possibly give You, the Creator of everything known to man? Oh, yeah, You have been asking me to give You my eating habits, and my daily quiet time with You could use some specific improvements. There is that attitude or habit I have that is not exactly Christ-like. Words that come out of my mouth could use Your touch. I say I trust you, but then I allow myself to worry. And what about my tithing?” There are many things to choose from on His wish list.
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24).
The wish-list Jesus has for each of us is different. What has He been working to (or wishing to) transform in your life? After giving it some thought and prayer, consider getting out a piece of paper and envelope and writing a letter to Jesus telling him what your gift(s) to Him this year are. Put it under the tree for Him and only Him. This action guarantees to make Him smile. Happy birthday Jesus!
Holy Spirit, guide us each as we look for parts of ourselves we can give (surrender) to You this Christmas. We do not need to be afraid to ask, Your conviction is gentle, full of grace, mercy and love. Transform and purify us You shape us to look more and more like Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star while angels sang to lowly shepherds. Three wise men seeking truth, they traveled from afar, hoping to find the child from heaven. And falling on their knees they bow before the humble Prince of Peace. We bring an offering of worship to our King. No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing. Jesus, may you receive the honor that you’re due. O Lord, I bring an offering to you, the sun cannot compare to the glory of your love. There is no shadow in your presence, no mortal man would dare to stand before your throne. Before the Holy One of heaven. It’s only by Your blood, it’s only through Your mercy Lord, I come I bring an offering of worship to my King, no one on earth deserves the praises that I sing. Jesus, may you receive the honor that you’re due.
That is the difference between waiting (which everyone does at one point or another) and patiently waiting with excitement.
We stood outside on the platform in the sweltering heat. As we glanced down the tracks, we saw no train bound for Philadelphia. 30, 45, 60 minutes – well past the scheduled arrival time. I saw not only the frustration on faces of the ticket holders, but heard the verbal complaints ratcheting up, the longer the delay. We had no choice but to wait.
WAITING WITH EXCITEMENT
That is the difference between waiting (which everyone does at one point or another) and patiently waiting with excitement. Believers may choose how they wait. We can choose to stay steady and strong even in the face of extreme adversity. The Bible tells us the end game: Jesus is coming, and He has won. Soon will be the arrival of the Light of the Word, with fire in His eyes. He voluntarily paid the price, the ransom, by laying down His own life for us, even when we were far, far away from Him.
CAN YOU HEAR HIM COMING?
Can you hear the thunder in the distance, the roar of the angels? Through the clouds He will lead us, straight into glory. Finally, all the evil and craziness of this world will be terminated because there He shall reign, forevermore, oh, forevermore.
THE POWER TO WAIT
We can endure. Believers are offered the power to wait, by the grace of God. He offers us patience so that not one minute is wasted that God gives us on this earth, regardless of the adversity we face. As I’m writing this, the train has not come yet, but it is very close and I can see it in the distance. He will soon be coming. Amen and amen!
Light of the world, soon will be coming With fire in His eyes, He will ransom His own Through clouds He will lead us, straight into glory And there He shall reign, forevermore, oh, forevermore
