Skip to main content

Silent Night

This week we celebrate Christmas. Homes are decorated with sparkling lights, Christmas trees adorned with ornaments, various images of Santa Claus can be found scattered around, and my favorite, the nativity is displayed. If you weren't familiar with our traditions, you could certainly tell something special is being prepared for.  Something special will be celebrated. 

As we know our King is being born.  On Christmas night we remember the night an infant entered the world to change it forever. God has come to live among His people and make things right in His kingdom.  

To us today, it only makes sense to do the things we do at Christmas time. This is one of the most significant nights in human history. Knowing what we know, it seems only right to spend a month preparing and decorating. What better way to honor the gift God gave to us than by giving our friends and family gifts as symbols of our admiration for them. It's only right that this season of giving should consume our hearts, minds, and bank accounts.

What a stark difference to the actual events of the evening and leading up to that special night.  At this point in history, God has been silent to his people for 400 years. To put that in perspective, 400 years is about 20 generations who never heard or saw a prophet.  Rather than the pomp and circumstance we have grown accustomed to experiencing before Christmas, the preparation for the birth of our Lord came by way of silence. No lights, no trees, and no decorations led up to this most important night. 

For Jesus' parents, preparation came by way of a journey. A census had been called and it required families to return to their "hometown". "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child" (Luke 2:4‭-‬5 NIV). Nazareth to Bethlehem meant Joseph must walk 4-5 days to make the journey.  His pregnant bride rode a donkey as he led the way. It would have been a dirty and difficult journey. Only to arrive and find no place to rest.  The only available space is a barn, not meant for people, let alone a king. 

God certainly could have done this in a different way.  He could have engaged a forest of trees and a display of light that would make a Florida lightning storm jealous. Instead God chose silence, an arduous journey, and a humble location for His son and our King to be born. 

As you share in the Christmas festivities, consider setting aside time to be still.  Be quiet and simply be with God. Retreat to the silence, perseverance, and simplicity prevalent in that first Christmas.  

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt








Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House Week 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports.   One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week12: Constant

I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day.  The way these blogs come together is different from week to week.  Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper".   This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits.  In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense.   What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving.  He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry.  Things hap
Post a Comment
Read more

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g
Post a Comment
Read more