O Holy Night

“O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth, Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine.

The birth of Christ was a night of faith, and every year we celebrate it in faith. Joseph in faith was taking his betrothed wife out of Nazareth to be registered, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. That night Mary brought forth her firstborn son, not of her betrothed husband in faith. That night country shepherds living out in the fields, were faithfully keeping watch over their flock. The shepherds chose that night to go to and see that which the Lord had made known to them in faith. From that night forward, all those who heard those things which were told them by the shepherds marveled at them in faith. We believe all the above in faith. And we gather this season once again to celebrate the child born to die for us in faith.

One of my favorite songs for this time of year is one titled “Mary, Did You Know?” sung by a group called Pentatonix. In it several rhetorical questions are asked of Mary that night as she gazed on the child to whom she had just given birth. “Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? ….. save our sons and daughters? …. the child that you delivered will soon deliver you? …. give sight to a blind man? … calm the storm with his hand? ….the deaf will hear? …the dumb will speak?… the lame will leap? …. would one day rule the nations?… is heaven’s perfect Lamb?” There is no evidence in scripture that she knew any of these things. Scripture indicates she knew the general construct as was revealed to her by the messengers from God and we can assume she had some general knowledge of Old Testament writings. But I believe this young woman had no idea what to expect from a personal experience. There is no way for her to fathom at that time in her life what she would feel some day holding her crucified son and Savior. I am convinced she knew none of those things but acted in faith. I believe God would require nothing less of her. Here is the good news. He requires nothing more from us as well but to walk in faith. So, let’s collectively walk in faith this holiday season and celebrate the privilege to do just that …. walk in faith!