Couldn’t sleep this winter’s night. Like a child too excited about what is under the tree. But what is causing my sleeplessness this Christmas Eve is the wonder of what actually occurred over 2000 years ago. God broke into time, out of Heaven and into time. And with the breaking in upon us, came the myriads of angels singing to the lowliest of angels. And came to the night sky, that Star of Wonder, heralding the birth of the Son of God. Like I said I couldn’t sleep, so I turned on the TV to look for a Christmas movie.
I found no movie, but what my remote landed on was so beautiful, so awe-inspiring. I found the sound of hundreds of men and women singing together in a choir. The program is called “Christmas in Norway.” Such beautiful songs of Christ’s coming. It reminds me of just what those Shepherds must have heard on the cold and lonely night, out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And I too, am filled with a kind of secret joy, a sense of just how Holy this night really is. For the Shepherds, it was a new beginning. That new beginning is open to us all, through Jesus. I love Christmas carols. I love to sing them with lots of people and reflect on the words, the lyrics, the images these words conjure up in our hearts and minds. Close your eyes this Christmas Eve and sit in wonder with the Shepherds, with the angels, with the Wise men. Come and see what the Lord has done for us.