O Holy Night
2002 Advent Devotion Collection
December 25
READING: Luke 2
And in that region there were shepherds out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with fear. Luke 2.8-9
-And from the hymn "O Holy
Night"-
"O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night
of our dear Savior's birth"
Just imagine the scene on a hillside outside of Bethlehem. Shepherds were gathered together guarding their flocks. Think of the dark and the quiet. I'm sure the shepherds had a fire going and were talking in quiet voices. They must have been a bit uneasy because of the immense darkness all around. Even though the stars were shining they probably couldn't see much beyond their small circle of light. Suddenly, without warning, an angel appeared in their midst, bathed in shining, glowing light. According to the scripture there was light all around them. Can't you just imagine the intense fear they felt?
Night has always been a time of fear. We are apprehensive when the phone rings at night (expecting bad news). Noises in the night cause us alarm. Children see things in the dark and are often afraid. If you are alone, night brings more loneliness and often despair. But when there is light it all seems to disappear. How wonderful that our "Holy Night" was a night of light and remains so in our minds and hearts. The light that appeared to the shepherds and the Light that was born in a stable in Bethlehem was, is, and shall ever be the light that eases our fears and lights up our nights.
PRAYER: Lord who makes the light
shine upon us during our darkest hours, be with us during this Advent
season. Help us to be lights to those in the darkness and to help light
up their nights. The "light" that was born that long ago night
in Bethlehem was and is the greatest gift you could give us. Thanks be
to you, O God. Amen. -- Donna S.
Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
(217) 428-4336