An old friend sent me a popular carol through Whatsapp yesterday: “silent night, holy night…”

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there must have been great celebration in heaven because a redeemer was born who will make a way possible for reconciliation of man with God. But it was a silent night on earth.

Someone very nicely said, “…if you want to know what God is doing in your life, just look at what the devil is doing and reverse it. You will know what God has already started.”

When Herod started to kill all babies below a certain age, there was a major hue and cry. Looking at that, one can understand that a breakthrough had already begun.

This is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In the midst of shopping, Christmas gatherings, relatives, gifts, cakes, holiday festivities, it’s easy to lose sight of “Whom” we are actually celebrating! We often miss the truth in all the busyness of the routine.

Imagine how it must have felt to the disciples on the Emmaus Road when they realized who it was that had just explained to them all of history as it pointed to the Messiah. Think how foolish they must have felt later of asking, “Are you the only one in Israel who doesn’t know what has happened in the last few days?” Ironically, He was the only one in Israel who actually knew what had happened. They walked and talked with the risen Christ, yet they failed to see.

Satan also missed it and understandably so as he is limited in knowledge and space and power. He knew from Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. What he did not know was the timing of the Savior’s birth. So, in another of his endless efforts to thwart the purposes of God, Satan pulled in demons from around the world to concentrate on the Holy Land, specifically the region around Bethlehem. But little did he expect that God would choose a man and woman not from Bethlehem, but from Nazareth, far to the north. He also had no way of knowing of Gabriel’s visits to Mary and Joseph or of the miraculous conception of this Baby. If he at all heard of this young Nazarene couple, he quickly discounted them, certain that God would not use such ordinary people for so holy a role.

Then God arranged Mary and Joseph to move to Bethlehem in time for the birth, but not so as to draw attention to themselves. When Caesar Augustus put out a call for a census of the Empire, God had put it in his heart. “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1) Mary and Joseph were among thousands returning to their ancestral homes for the census. With Bethlehem’s inns and available homes filled, the young couple took the only thing available, a stable. “She brought forth her firstborn son and laid him in a manger, for there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) Satan again failed to anticipate that the God of Heaven would choose such insignificant surroundings for an important occasion such as this. “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.” (I Corinthians 1:27)

The welcoming committee was of the lowliest people on the planet — shepherds possibly to reassure the young parents that all was well. Satan had no way of seeing the angels that appeared to these sheepherders that night or hearing their clues on how to identify the Baby. “And this will be a sign unto you: you will find a Baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) No one noticed or cared when a small company of motley shepherds ran through the village looking for a stable!

Later, after Joseph had moved his little family into a house in Bethlehem, a delegation of foreign visitors arrived. These “magi from the east” had created no small stir in Jerusalem as they naively announced their search for the one “born king of the Jews.” (Matthew 2) From the gifts they presented, Joseph was able to finance a sudden trip to Egypt made necessary when murderous King Herod sent soldiers on a search-and-destroy-mission for the babies of Bethlehem.

The wonderful story of Christmas is clearly for “all the world” and “whosoever” as John 3:16 informs us.

A carpenter, a maid, few shepherds, and ordinary folks responded in awe at the blessing of His arrival. And then there were those who were busy about their business and had no time to stop by. They missed a divine appointment with mankind.

On that quiet night so long ago, lying in the manger was the answer to all of life’s challenges. Isaiah 9:6-7 is probably one of the most familiar Biblical passages read during this time, which clearly summarises the promise of Christmas.

The Son is not born. He is given as a gift. And He, along with Him brought His world with Him. He brought the government of Heaven, the order of Heaven, the ‘rulership’ and ‘dominion’ of Heaven with Him and He came to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. He brought His Kingdom with Him, and now it was available to mankind. A Wonderful Counselor who came to counsel through His written and revealed Word, dreams, visions, a friend and a shepherd.

Mighty God who prevails over life’s struggles, disappointments, and regrets. Signs, wonders and miracles followed Him. He came to provide salvation – protection, prosperity, healing, and everything that Heaven has to offer! When Jesus died on the Cross, He said, “It is finished.” Jesus came as an overcomer over every stronghold, every setback, and every mountain that attempts to stand before us.

Jesus came to reveal the Everlasting Father. He displayed the Father’s heart, His love, His character and eternality while on the earth. God’s love is truly everlasting and eternal.

The Prince of Peace. Shalom – nothing missing, nothing broken. That is His promise for us who believe and a hope for the mankind.

In all our celebration, let us not forget the very reason.
Receive this gift of love and His intervention in our lives and appropriate all that He died on the Cross for.

Merry Christmas!