One silent night, several thousand years ago, a child was born in Bethlehem. The sky glistened with stars overhead and all that could be heard was the bleating of sheep and the gentle cries of the cows who dotted the landscape. It could have been just like any other night in Bethlehem wrapped in solitude, but all was about to change.
In the still of the night, when it seemed as if nothing was happening, in fact everything was happening. The stars, moon and heavens aligned perfectly for the gift that the world was about to receive.
To the human eye, it looked like any other night out in the open fields of life. But to God, it was a coming together of the most beautiful symphony that had ever been written. The music was the beat of God’s heart pouring out His deepest love through the birth of His son, Jesus. God’s heartbeat pulsed with abandon as He gave the world His son. Every measure, note and melody was orchestrated perfectly in the silence. Only the moon, stars, and Mary and Joseph were there as witnesses. The greatest gift of love appeared without fanfare one silent night.
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
Alleluia.
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour 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.
This most magnificent birth humbly began as Mary and Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem to register for the census.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7
Absolute ordinary was ushered into the world turning this night into incomparable extraordinary. The birth was heralded by shepherds, when the prompting of angels caused them to travel to seek out the Savior.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14
[Tweet “One silent night changed the world. Grace reigned down and love took hold. #Advent #grace”]
Nothing was the same, but everything was different one silent night, when love came into the world accompanied by redeeming grace. A hope filled the world bringing a love that is present today, even in the darkest moments.
One silent night changed the world. Grace reigned down and love took hold. The greatest gift was unwrapped in a manger when the Savior was born.
May we all find the gift of grace and love in the silence of that one night when our Savior was born.
Mary
Mary, loved this post! Silent Night is one of my fave Christmas hymns. Did you see the video I posted on my FB page yesterday…some youth from church performing the song “Peace, Peace”? My fave part was when the little voices came in with the “Silent Night” gave me goosebumps. So much THIS: “One silent night changed the world. Grace reigned down and love took hold. Nothing was the same, but everything was different one silent night, when love came into the world accompanied by redeeming grace. A hope filled the world bringing a love that is present today, even in the darkest moments. One silent night changed the world. Grace reigned down and love took hold. The greatest gift was unwrapped in a manger when the Savior was born.”
I did hear the song on your Facebook page and loved the sweet voices chiming in with “Silent Night” I think I have actually sung a version of “Peace, Peace” with “Silent Night” years ago. Silent Night is also one of my favorite Christmas songs and when you really read the words, there is so much that was packed into one song. Thank you for always encouraging me in my writing. It means so much. Praying you have a blessed Christmas. Enjoy your time with your dad.
Such beautiful thoughts and insight here, Mary. I especially love this truth – “But to God, it was a coming together of the most beautiful symphony that had ever been written. The music was the beat of God’s heart pouring out His deepest love through the birth of His son, Jesus.” I love how you word this! It puts His song into my heart. 🙂 Thank you for all the Christmas messages focusing on the real meaning of Christmas! Have a Christ-filled Christmas!
Thank you sweet friend for blessing me today. I am glad you feel God’s song in your heart. I appreciate you joining me for this Advent journey and for being so encouraging along the way. Christmas blessings to you and yours!
Thank you for sharing such beautiful thoughts and insights into that wonderful night so long ago with all the promise of eternal life for those who believe.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for blessing me today by stopping by. Silent Night is one of my favorite Christmas carols and I love that I was able to share this with all of you. Merry Christmas!
God at work in the silence. So often I hear groups of people singing this lovely carol and I wonder if they know what they’re saying — if we can sing the words at Christmas time, can we let them find their way into our lives?
I’ll never grow tired of pondering the wonder of these lyrics. Thanks, Mary, for taking time to bring them to us today.
Silent Night will always be one of my favorite Christmas songs. You are right in saying that we can learn so much from the lyrics and the beauty is that it can be something new every time. I pray that our hearts are always open to receiving the words that God has laid out just for us. Blessings on your Christmas!
When it looked like nothing was happening, everything was happening. I really needed that thought this morning. And you might need to remind me of it again. Hope you are enjoying this Lord’s day…thinking of you this week!! Love you!
This season has been one of transition for me-lots of it. The waiting has been one of the hardest parts because we cannot see what is happening behind the scenes even though God is still working. I imagine the night that Jesus was born was very much the same way-the perfect orchestration behind the scenes but very little seemed to be happening out in the open except for the most miraculous birth there ever was. So glad you stopped by. Love you friend!
Mary, this is such a beautiful reflection of the night when holy invaded ordinary and made it extraordinary beyond measure! I especially love the way you’ve described it here: “The music was the beat of God’s heart pouring out His deepest love through the birth of His son, Jesus. God’s heartbeat pulsed with abandon as He gave the world His son.” Divine love lavished on the human race from the Father’s beating heart to a world grown weary with waiting. Your words breathe fresh life into what can often become overly familiar if we let it. Thank you for not remaining silent in the remembrance of how “Grace reigned down and love took hold”! Xx <3
Thank you for being here Joy. Your sweet words fill my heart as I shared what God so lovingly prompted me to share. Knowing the immense love God has for His son Jesus, reinforces how much He loves each of us. We have been given the greatest gift and now we just need to receive it and unwrap it for ourselves. Merry Christmas!