“Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright…” Do the words of this classic carol describe your
experience with Christmas? Or do you only wish for a Silent Night, a moment of peace to rest and reflect
during these busy weeks? Some people hear words like these and think that this season is somehow
disconnected from the real world. How do we make sense of what went on when Jesus was born and
what is going on in our world today?
If you are one who sees Christmas as a time of stress as you are consumed by the demands on your
time and bank account, please don’t blame Jesus for what people have done with the season.
If you are one who looks at the noise, chaos, needs and conflict in the world and in your world, please
don’t assume that Christmas is irrelevant and disconnected from reality. Look again. The Bible reminds
us in both Matthew 2 and Luke 1 that Jesus was born in “the time of King Herod”. This was a dark and
difficult time for the people of Israel. The Roman empire had swallowed their nation and placed a
puppet monarch in place to do Caesar’s bidding and fill Caesar’s pockets by emptying theirs. There was
no end in sight and no hope on the horizon.
The reality of what the people were facing then while God was at work sending His Son into the world
is reflected well in Simon and Garfunkel’s “7 O’Clock News/Silent Night” released in 1966. This talented
duo sang a beautiful rendition of Silent Night while the evening news headlines were read at the same
time. Some people heard this and thought it pointed out that Christmas doesn’t fit with our experience,
that somehow it was ineffective and irrelevant. However, when I hear this song, I am reminded that
there is no disconnect between Christmas and reality. If we will look carefully and listen closely, we will
see that Christmas was God speaking over the noise and into our chaos.
Christmas was (and is) God telling us that there is hope, there is help, and they are here now. They are
here in Jesus the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace promised
through the words of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6). Help and Hope are here through Jesus the Way, the
Truth, and the Life; the One who delivers God’s gift of everlasting life (John 14:6, Romans 6:23).
If you are one who feels alone at Christmas, left out and left behind, I remind you that we are not
alone. God sent Jesus with the name Emmanuel which means God with us. God is ready to rescue you
and adopt you into His family. He is ready to extend forgiveness for your rebellion and to grant you life
eternal. He offers you His presence every day.
Christmas is not a time to escape reality for a few weeks with our seasonal traditions. Christmas is a
time to engage reality with the truth of God’s work then and now to rescue people for now and forever.
The last verse of this carol reminds us that Jesus is the Son of God and “love’s pure light”. It reminds us
again that Jesus came as “the dawn of redeeming grace”.
Take some time this season for your own Silent Night. Carve out some time to read again about the
birth of the Saviour. Take some time to reflect on and respond to what God was and is doing through His
Son, our Saviour.
We would love to have you join us on December 18 at 6:30 p.m. for our candlelight service. It is a simple
service of celebration and reflection as we honour God together for His great gift. If you have any

questions, or if you need someone to talk to, or someone to pray for you during this season please
contact us. It would be our privilege to speak to you personally.
Harrow Baptist Church (519) 738-2275 harrowbaptistchurch.com