Silent Night, Holy Night
By-Crickettt
Luke 2:1-20 NKJV
[1] And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. [3] So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.[4] Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child. [6] So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.[8] Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. [10] Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. [11] For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!”[15] So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. [17] Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. [18] And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. [20] Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Silent Night, Holy Night
It was a night like no other. A night that would turn into the most Holy for all mankind and change the world forever. The stars lit up the sky on that beautiful, silent night while the shepherds were busy watching over their sheep. Joseph and Mary had traveled a long journey from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, to Judea, the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. A census had been decreed by Caesar Augustus that all the world would be registered in their own city. Joseph was of the house and lineage of David therefore he had to register with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was a virgin and with child of the Holy Spirit. This would fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah regarding Jesus’ virgin birth and that He would be born in Bethlehem. While they were there, Mary’s time for delivering her baby had come. Joseph searched frantically for a place they could stay, but there was no room in the Inn. They were guided to the animal shelters where there would be water and dry hay. And so it was, on that very special night, the King of all kings, would be born in the most humble of state. He did not arrive like a king normally would. Yet, He was the most Royal of all kings. He did not come dressed in fine clothing. Instead, He was wrapped in swaddling cloth. Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes according to the custom of the day, an action that showed the tender care and affection of His mother to wrap her baby, to protect him. He did not come surrounded by an audience of royal assistants. Instead, the animals in the shelter greeted His arrival. Jesus was not placed in a royal crib, He was placed in a manger on a bed of straw. His first visitors were not other kings from distant lands. The angels of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and told them where to find Jesus. He would be the savior of the world and the shepherds, who were regarded as the lowest of all people, were the ones chosen to see their new King first. God in flesh had come to a world that had been filled with wickedness and sin. Jesus came to set the captives free. This innocent baby would one day take upon Himself the sins of the world. He had come to save all those who were lost and perishing.
One silent night had turned into the most Holy of all nights for all who witnessed His birth. Mary and Joseph were in great awe at the site of this blessed miracle they had been given. They were both chosen by God to care for His Holy Son and teach Him all that the Father instructed them to do. I wonder what Mary was thinking about when she kissed her little baby, knowing that she was kissing the face of God. Did she ask God why He chose her or if she was even worthy enough to take on such a great task of raising God’s Son? And what about Joseph? He was a carpenter by trade. He would be responsible for teaching Jesus the Torah and the Jewish ways of righteous living. Would Jesus already know who He was or would God reveal it to Him when He was old enough to understand, since He was God in the flesh of a man? The birth of Jesus, His death and resurrection would fulfill all the prophecies spoken of in the Old Testament. The Bible mentions, when Jesus came into the world as King, His creation/mankind knew Him not. The religious leaders rejected Him as their Messiah. They were expecting someone different. Some kind of important earthly king and not a carpenter's son. They were blinded by their own religious arrogance to see the truth even though His coming was already foretold in the Old Testament writings they studied.
Jesus will return again one day soon. Will you be ready or will you reject Him? His coming set in motion our eternal destiny. We have been set free from the laws of sin and death. Jesus brought the good news to all who would listen and believe.
One silent night long ago became not only a Holy night of salvation, but is still changing the world with His Word, one heartbeat at a time.
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