Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin, mother and child Holy infant, tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
At this time of year we often imagine a tranquil night when Jesus was born in a manger with no one present except Mary, Joseph, a handful of shepherds and a few farm animals. We typically see numerous nativity scenes displayed and sing Christmas carols that speak of quiet, calm, and peace on earth.
While many love the idea of a contemplative, Christ-centered celebration, it has become increasingly difficult to achieve as Christmas trees, popular music, elves, tinsel, Christmas movies and colored lights combine together to cause our heads to swim with sensory overload.
And then there are the host of holiday events that fill up our calendars, While we may love the school plays, office parties, numerous family gatherings, and delicious treats that typically accompany the season, these things combined with other Christmas activities and traditions can easily obscure the profound meaning of the holiday.
On the first Christmas, Jesus, took on bodily form and began a life that would end on a cruel cross followed by a glorious resurrection. As we look inward this Christmas I will leave you with the simple yet powerful prayer of early church father, Augustine of Hippo:
Let the just rejoice, for their justifier is born. Let the sick and infirm rejoice, for their savior is born. Let the captives rejoice, for their Redeemer is born. Let slaves rejoice, for their Master is born. Let free men rejoice, for their Liberator is born. Let All Christians rejoice, for Jesus Christ is born.
— St. Augustine of Hippo
Merry Christmas!
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