Every year at Christmas time we get our decorations out, start watching Christmas movies, and singing Christmas songs. One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Silent Night." I started thinking about the night Christ was born and all of the events surrounding it. I came to the conclusion that it probably wasn't a silent night at all. Let's take a look:
- Matthew 1:18-25 (New International Version)
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"[b]—which means, "God with us."
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. - Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So 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. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
First, Bethlehem was packed and overflowing because of the mandatory census. This would have been equivalent to present day Time Square on New Years Eve. There were people everywhere plus animals. The noise from the crowds would have been tremendous.
Secondly, the shepherds were chillin by the camp fire outside of Bethlem when an Angel materialized out of nowhere and told them about baby Jesus. Then The Heavenly Host band joined him for a massive concert in the sky. Afterwards the shepherds headed into town to find Jesus.
Back in Bethlehem the crowds would have gotten stirred up because of the shepherds (who were considered scum and unclean) were talking crazy stuff about angels and a baby in a barn. The gossip would have been something to behold. Rumors and talk would have spread though town quickly. People would be out following a strange star that had appeared.
What about you? Would you have been looking for promised messiah? What about now? He was born to die for you and me. God had to have been sad knowing that He sent His son into a world as a sacrifice to save the human race.
With all that was going on, I really don't think it was a silent night at all, do you?
If you don't already know Jesus, this would be a great time to find Him. He always there for those who look for Him. For those of us that have already found Him, maybe it's time time to reconnect.
May you have a blessed Christmas,
Steve
