The Quiet of Christmas

Have you even wondered how a person can fall asleep in a noisy crowded room? My dad used to fall asleep watching the football game with 4 kids running around like loons. He always had a bag of cheese popcorn on his chest and a Mountain Dew on the table.

When he woke up and always knew the score (I used to wonder how in the heck did he did that!) Was he able to fall asleep because he was at peace within himself and his surroundings? He felt safe and was able to tune the noise out? Or was he just THAT tired?

As I was thinking about the birth of Jesus I have to admit that I envisioned peace and quiet. A moment of serenity because our savior was born. Mary having an opportunity to hold her son and marvel at his perfectness. After all, she gave birth to the son of God. I envisioned the quiet of Christmas.

In fact – the reality was totally different.

Jesus was born in a barn, in a manger (most likely a feed trough) surrounded by animals. Mary and Joseph had just travelled about 90 miles. From Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was a long, hard, and difficult journey.

They had to leave all of their family and friends because Jospeh was a descent of David. Cesar Augustus declared that all the world had to be registered and they had to register in the place of their lineage. This was to fulfill the prophecy that said Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem (see scripture quotes below).

God was on the move.

And because there was no room in the inn Mary gave birth amongst the sheep, lambs, cattle and horses. ALL the animal sounds. ALL the noise. ALL the smells.

What was she thinking? Here she is, 16 years old, and away from all she knew. All that gave her the peace of her surroundings. Did she feel safe? Was she cold? Hungry? Wet? Scared? Frustrated?

As a mom who has given birth twice I wonder…was Mary able to tune out the noise and just marvel in the birth of Jesus? Did she experience the quiet of Christmas?

After holding her baby for the 1st time I like to believe that she heard nothing and God at the same time. The sounds of everything else around her receded into the background…even Joseph.

This was her moment of glory. Her moment of wonder. Her moment of tiny fingers and toes. Her moment when she realized that even though she gave birth, that tiny beating heart was the son of God and even though he did not belong to her, he was hers nonetheless. Her moment as the mom of our Savior communicating with the father of our lives…

..and she experienced the quiet of Christmas.

Scripture:

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.” (Luke 2:1-6)

Matthew 2:4-6 says: ‘When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”