You gotta’ love the Christmas music that’s played during the Christmas season. Who doesn’t love a dose of “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”, “Joy to the World”, and Silent Night. Especially that last one, “Silent Night”.
Silent nights are needed. Seems like that’s when I can shut the rest of the world out for a few minutes and clear my mind by reading the Scriptures and then asking the Lord to once more fill me with a “peace that passes understanding”. And He does.
I mean sometimes the day, or even the week, sometimes the month, and occasionally the whole years seems to be pretty rough, even a horrible period of time. So I need a respite, a time of, a season of healing and refreshment.
This last year was a “doozie”...not just personally, but for the nation as a whole. You remember the whole election “thing” don’t you? Over twenty people ran for the office of the President of the United States...we were excited to have so many choices and then it came down to two..."nough” said. What about the rioting that happened in so many of our states and cities this past year...plus the floods...plus the fires...plus the sudden vacancy on the Supreme Court...plus the volatility of the market...I mean I could put a hundred blanks on the paper and I’m sure you could find plenty of troubling items to fill them with...and that doesn’t even touch the personal troubles that occur that we never in a million years would have imagined happening to us. You’ve probably cried out the same thing I have on occasion, “How long, Lord?” That’s why the “silent night” is so needed.
And the neat thing is that the “silent night” experience can happen at any time...day or night... and bring peace and yes, even joy, as well as hope back into our world.
7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7 (ESV)
Think about it. Let’s clear our mind...be still and listen to the Lord and learn. For the Scriptures reveal to us if ever there was a horrible time in the life of a nation and a people we need look no further than Israel in 6 B.C. Pretty tough time period, very troubling. I mean you have a king who has been appointed by the Roman empire to tax the people beyond their ability to pay...an occupation that was being implemented by one of the most brutal empires in history...on the whole, no middle class, only rich and poor...starvation was a real possibility...and religious leaders who had grown cold and empty...not to mention that the Lord had not spoken to Israel for 400 years.
Already my mind is clearing somewhat. I mean, even our “troubled” year seems bearable when compared to the time into which Jesus Christ was born. It was into that epoch that God intervened and sent into the world the grace, peace and hope that was needed.
... but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,Romans 5:20 (ESV)
In, and among all the “stuff” that was happening in the lives of the nations and the lives of the individuals came the holy night of peace and promise. “How long, O Lord?” turned into “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The promise of redemption, of justice restored and life renewed. There it is...”the peace that passes understanding”.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14 (ESV)
Be still and know that He is God...clearing our mind with His Word, and knowing the truth which sets us free...to trust and enjoy the peace He gives. I guess that's why we actually have nothing to fear.
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 (ESV)
Peace and joy...Christmas gifts...for all people who believe and trust in Him, the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’m praying for you, as you celebrate Christmas this year. One, that you will find time to “be still” and two, that you find the joy, peace, and hope that He intends for us to have regardless of what may arise in our daily lives.
Let the music spring forth...and let it be with meaning...
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.