O Holy Night

O Holy Night

 “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.” Luke 2:7

            The air was cold that night and the group of shepherds huddled together by the fire trying to keep warm.  It was an ordinary night in the hills outside of Bethlehem.   They talked about their families and the fear they had of King Herod. 

            In Bethlehem, the inn keeper was still grumbling about all the people he had to deal with.  He was happy to have so many staying with him, but now it was full and he had to turn away several.  The young couple stayed on his mind.  The woman looked so tired and it was obvious she was about to deliver a child.  Out of the goodness of his heart, he let them stay in the stable, but what a terrible place to give birth to a child.

            In the stable, Joseph piled clean straw as far from the animals as he could.  He then took off his cloak and laid it over the mound of straw.  Mary quickly lay down and Joseph covered her with her cloak.  He could see the tears in her eyes; tears of fear.  She was young and inexperienced; wishing her mother could be there.  She would know what to do.

            This is the way it was that first Christmas; everything was set in place for the greatest event in history.  The angels were gathered together in anticipation of what was about to take place. One angel was surrounded by a great light that shone all around them.  Joy was on the face of each angel as they sang praises to the Almighty One.

            Back in Bethlehem, out of the stillness of the night a baby’s cry rang out.  It woke the innkeeper from a restless sleep and he smiled sleepily and then fell into a peaceful sleep. Other people in the inn woke up to a bright light shining in their faces only to look out at the brightest star in the sky they had ever seen.

Out on the hillside, the shepherds had just settled down by the fire when an angel appeared to them.  The Glory of God was all around them and they were so afraid they covered their faces with their arms and were ready to run when the angel called out, “Don’t be afraid.  I came to bring you the best news you ever heard.  A baby was just born in a stable in Bethlehem, who is Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.”

As the shepherds stood there, their mouths open in shock, the whole sky was suddenly filled with angels and they were all singing and glorifying God.  They sang about the earth being filled with peace and love for each other.  Just as quickly as they came – they left and the sky was dark except for a brilliant star shining down over Bethlehem. Forgotten were the sheep as the shepherds hurriedly walked down the path towards Bethlehem.

In the stable, Mary held her newborn baby close to her breast. She had brought swaddling cloths to wrap her baby in.  Joseph had taken a small manger, filled it with fresh hay, covered it up with soft cloth and set it beside Mary for a cradle.  They had settled down when they heard voices outside the stable.  Joseph rose quickly and peered out the entrance.  There stood a group of shepherds; their faces filled with wonder as they told Joseph about the angels and their message.

Joseph went back inside and spoke to Mary who nodded and laid the baby in the manger.  Then he went back and asked the shepherds to enter.  When they looked in the manger and saw the baby, they all knelt down on the stable floor and worshipped the Child. Tears ran slowly down Mary’s face and Joseph looked on in wonder. They both realized, in that holy moment, that this child was truly the Son of God.  They were amazed that God had chosen them to be the parents of their Savior and they also worshipped the Lord. 

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come; let earth receive her King.”