A Not so Silent Night

Point of Grace sang a song awhile back,  “A Not so Silent Night”.  Now, we are not too used to silence around here, so this title makes me smile.  Seriously though, it makes sense.
A swarm of people had invaded Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus told them they had to.  It was not the resort vacation town.  It was a political move.  My guess is that there was plenty of complaining.  The streets must have been crowded.  Every room was filled.  Animals made the trek as well, and they were housed wherever there was room.  The census takers were quite busy.  I’m sure the local vendors took advantage of the influx of potential customers.  They weren’t about to miss out on a sweet deal.   Children were shushed at night when everyone was trying to sleep.  Children were shushed during the day as they ran through the streets squealing, playing with newly found friends.
Then came Mary and Joseph.  The only place they found was a stable for animals.  In a sense, the stable was a garage for the animals that carried people and baggage to Bethlehem.  Can you just imagine what the sounds were in that simple dwelling?  Cows, donkeys, sheep?
Then came Jesus.  Okay, I have birthed four children.  It is not quiet.  It’s busy.  It’s noisy.  Labor is work.  Mary was giving birth.  On her own no less.  Her son, Jesus, the Savior, was born as a baby.  Babies are noisy.  They cry.  Oh, yes, they are amazingly, deliciously, wonderful, but they are not quiet.
Meanwhile on a field nearby some shepherds met with an angel.  Then a whole sky full of angels began praising God.  Wow, that is far from silent.  The shepherds may have met the baby reverently, but they left on cloud nine praising God and telling everyone they saw what had happened.  You can only imagine the whispers and stoppers-by on that holy night.
What I find amazing in this contradiction of silence is that there was peace.  Those same angels who were praising God also proclaimed peace on earth to those in whom he was pleased.  Mary treasured what had just happened.  She had no idea how this would all play out, but she had peace knowing God had purposed all of it.  She could peacefully hold this little one knowing that he would one day save the world.
In the middle of all the noise of Christmas, I am reminded that peace is available.  God is still working his plan perfectly.  Though my life in this little corner of the world is far from quiet and has been quite noisy this year, there is peace knowing that despite pain, unexpected events, uncomfortable situations, even loneliness, I can have peace knowing that the little baby born a couple thousand years ago is my Savior.