Twas in the Dark of Night
I take pause to wish you, each one, a Merry Christmas!
We will be hosting this year and I’m able to say that with confidence as our son and his wife who live up the road will be entertaining a portion of them. Although not all will be able to make it, there is still a total of six of our adult children along with their spouses and sixteen grands to tend to whether they will be present or not. Number seventeen will be arriving sometime in March but is still be among us.
We are busy. Never too busy, however, to tell the story, once again, of a babe born in a manger. May He be reborn with the telling of the Good News to those with whom you gather. May you ponder these words in your heart.
Twas in the dark of night when the angels came. “And in that region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8).
Tis true. For those who saw—passed down by word of mouth what they saw. And thus, we have the Word made flesh dwelling among us long before it was written down.
True story: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9). How did the babe enter in? He entered in the Light of night rather than the dark of night.
True story: “And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid;’” (Luke 2:10). It’s hard, Lord, to be not afraid. Sometimes the dark looks so dark when there appears to be little light. You know that well, don’t You. There was mockery at the hour of your birth and your death by many who could not see.
True story: “…for I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savor, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).
True story: “And this will be a sign for you…you will find a babe… lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).
True story: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom his favor rests!’” (Luke 2:1314).
May His favor rest gently upon you and upon those you lead in ways everlasting. Amen.
