By Matt Gordon
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born . . . -Luke 2:6
In Luke’s account this is the final verse before every changes.
Mary and Joseph have figured things out, traveled to Bethlehem, been refused a place at the inn. And now it’s go-time.
But is the world ready?
All throughout the Old Testament God had dealt with the people. He’s spoken to prophets who had helped the people navigate all sorts of situations, while also proclaiming a future hope . . . a Messiah.
But then the radio goes silent. Static everywhere. For 400 years there is nothing. No overt word from God. It was a dark period, a collective night.
And now, dawn comes. With the birth of the son, it is the birth of the sun. A great light shines forth into all the world—the silence is shattered forever. How can God be silent when he comes to earth and claims a voice? When he walks with us and talks with us, and calls us by name?
Silent Night speaks of a quiet night. Surely this night is pre-birth, for what child brings a silence with it. Especially this child—God’s voice embodied. In verse two, the lyrics say,
“Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia. Christ the Savior is born.”
And with that birth, darkness is shattered.
Verse three says it this way:
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Dawn comes. Light with it.
Whether the world was ready or not matters not—it’s go-time. Jesus is coming.
So here is a better question on this Christmas Eve: Are you ready?
Are you ready for the night to end—to receive the radiant beams of light?
Are you ready for the dawn of redeeming grace?
Jesus is coming! Let us join the Heavenly hosts tonight in welcoming a new forever-tomorrow. Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!