Silent night, Holy Night

Silent night, Holy Night

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Ish 9:2-7, 2 Tim. 2:11-14, Lk. 2:1-14. Like the shepherds, what might it be like for us if we were to suddenly be confronted by a light so bright that we would be struck by fear? Can we really grasp the good news of great joy that comes to us and all people in the birth of Christ the Lord? We rejoice tonight in the great light of abundant joy along with the masses of believers past and present throughout the earth. Nothing brings so many people together to celebrate  peace and joy as does the birth of Christ. Yet, many of us call for putting Christ back in Christmas because the birth of Jesus has often been over sentimentalised and sugar coated to the extent that it is just the story of an innocent baby who draws shepherds and angels to a humble stable of straw to announce peace on earth, goodwill toward men. 

It has become a tradition to associate snow with Christmas and when it does come, shrouding everything with its white mantle, a stillness settles over the earth, especially at night-time. That combination of darkness and stillness was the setting for the first Christmas. As the Book of Wisdom states, “When all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the middle of her course, your almighty Word leaped down from heaven, from your royal throne” (Wis. 18:14f). It was as if God was again saying , “Let there be light” – let the gloom and darkness, which to such an extent exemplify the fallen and corrupt nature of the human race, be lifted, ushering in a new age of glory to God and peace on earth among all people. In the stillness of our hearts, we listen like the shepherds, we must hasten and with eagerness draw near to Christ. We must search for Christ, hasten to Him with eagerness and in the quiet times of prayer understand anew our need for Christ.

May the light of Christ dispel the darkness of our world this night! Amen!! Joy to the world, the Lord has come!!!

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