All Is Calm, All Is Bright!
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)
That young couple really had no idea about the Baby they were going to raise! They had been given details by an angel, but who listens to angels? What an enormous responsibility was placed on them.
Nothing seemed to bother Mary and Joseph. In that silent night, there was a Holy atmosphere that covered all their wants and needs. While they were physically alone in the moment—they most definitely were not on their own. The heavenly realms proclaimed His arrival. They rejoiced and celebrated the greatest event of all times.
Baby Jesus rested in heavenly peace. He did not seem stressed or fussy but slept like a baby. The shepherds showed up unexpectedly at the birthplace with wild angelic stories which led them to Bethlehem. After quaking in their sandals, they had to go see for themselves. Who listens to a host of heavenly angels anyway?
How about those radiant beams from His holy Face? What could be more precious than to see a tiny newborn Baby glowing with His Father’s Love? Mary and Joseph did not have any idea about the magnitude of this moment. Had the angel shared that bit of information?
What had just happened? Once there had been darkness and sin but with this Baby’s first earthly breath, everything changed. God made His light shine in our hearts. He gave us the Light. And it was seen on the face of that tiny little Baby.
Perhaps what took place on that very special night was the greatest gift of love given to everyone. Pure Love was found sleeping in a dirty food trough. He was not consumed with plans of a royal entry. He slept in peace. There was no visible crown or scepter, but we still believe it was and remains there.
For now, we skip past the calm and bright part, but someday we will claim it and join those angels who sang at His birth. We will experience pure joy and love!
Heavenly Father, we praise You with all that is in us! So often we don’t focus on You but get caught up in the earthly things. Thank You for drawing us back, for Your gift of Love that was given. Help us to focus on the real reason. AMEN.
Photo: Michael Johnston