Christmas 2018

I love the nativity scenes on cards, our creche, on pictures. The serenity of Silent Night, Holy Night. The pastel colors of Mary’s robes, the gentle look on Joseph’s face and the quiet look of contentment on the baby’s face. I love it. Especially when you consider how the reality was probably much different.

It would most likely have been the rainy season so there would be mud everywhere. Dogs barking, donkeys braying out their frustrations, camels spitting, people’s tempers running short, yelling in the marketplace, children adding to the chaos in that way that is unique to them, beggars begging late at the gate as the swelling crowd pushes into Bethlehem, and everywhere people pushing for the few remaining spots to lay down. Mary had just given birth without her mother or the midwives in a muddy and crowded stable overflowing with visiting livestock. No pristine pastel here. And yet… and yet.

The temple veil at the crucifixion was not the first one torn asunder. The first one was on that night as heaven tore a hole into earth and thrust its own angelic members into time. The guarding veil between the infinite and the finite was rent asunder and God’s Holy Son was bound in muddy matter. And yet… and yet.

Angels stuffed the air full of their presence longing to understand. Confused, they obeyed but wondered. Warrior angels sharpened their swords for a rescue mission they were sure was moments away. Herald angels argued over the impossibility of the words they were given to say… and to shepherds no less! Why? Why? Would they never walk with Jesus on the streets of gold again? And yet… and yet.

Over and above it all the presence of God Himself lay heavy in that little stable as he kissed His Son goodbye and entrusted Him to our humble, clumsy hands. Always with, but differently now. How heavy, how serene His presence. He is not worried, He already knows. He lays His hand on Mary’s shoulder and she sighs a gentle sigh as pain leaves her body. His other hand on Joseph’s shoulder who feels his worry about how to father the Son of God leaving on a whisper. Suddenly the travel, the hardship, the pain and the blood mean nothing. He is here. Peace falls. Even the animals feel it and fall silent. Peace falls. Shepherds kneel, too overcome to stand. Peace falls.

May that same spirit of peace fall upon your house this year. May your ears be tuned to hear the strains of heaven’s song over you. May your eyes see the tranquility through whatever chaos tries to steal the quietness from your heart. And most of all may you know the love of an Eternal Father who gave His only Son and then His most Holy Spirit to love you more than any other ever will.

I wish you a most happy and merry Christmas.

#newyear #resolutions #old