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2024
O little town of BethlehemSaturday, December 24, 2016
Luke 1:67-79 How are you going to spend today? This particular Christmas Eve? Many of us, introverts and extraverts alike, will be at church, or at a party, maybe finish shopping. Quiet time will be hard to find. Just playing out Luke's bible story ... Mary and Joseph spent much of Christmas Eve looking for a place to stay. Mary was already in labor. The baby was coming, whether they had a place or not. They found the stable. In those days women often delivered their own babies, as did Mary. Did Joseph help? ("Get me some hot water ...") Maybe. Did the cows and calves lick the baby clean, like they do their own newborns? How does that sound to you? Was it as cold as it will be tonight in Bethlehem? (Low forecast to be 41 degrees) Outside the stable the little town ... how still we see thee lie. Streets eventually silent in their deep and dreamless sleep. Slumbering, not knowing of their visitation. Above, the stars, the silent stars go by. A 12 hour time exposure would show huge circles of starlight surrounding Jesus and his family, although nothing so bright as the light of the manger. On this day, in the city of David, see how in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. A savior is born, and he is Christ the Lord. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. In the silence deep inside you, listen for the angels' song. Glory to God in the highest! You are our shepherd, Lord, and we are the sheep of your pasture. Let us sing of your favor and your loyalty to us, let us proclaim your faithfulness on this day of days, this night of all nights, this moment of visitation that changes everything. O God our help in every need; your kindness is confirmed forever. |
These words of Zechariah's are so beautiful! Every year they draw me inside the visions of John's father, who spent months unable to speak. As Max Ehrmann wrote, "Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence."