Christmas in a Stable
Welcome to Joni and Friends. It’s Christmas Eve, so join me in singing this classic:
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Welcome to Christmas Eve, friend, and thank you singing with me and for letting me enter your home, or your car. I don’t think you’re listening at work on Christmas Eve (and God bless those of you have to go to work, gas stations are open on Christmas Eve, supermarkets, the malls, McDonalds); wherever you are, and whatever the time of day right now, I hope you’ll find an opportunity to quietly celebrate (in a serene and silent way), the birth of our wonderful Savior, the Lord Jesus. Because everyone needs to find a moment – a soft moment, a tender moment – to reflect on the marvelous gift God has given us through His Son.
I remember very well one of those Christmas Eves. I was just a young girl, still on my feet, and I leaned on my elbow looking out the farmhouse window while my mom and my sisters cooked food and set the table. As the snow fell in light, dry flakes, a soft haze made our barn in the distance almost disappear. During the late afternoon, I pulled on my jacket, stuffed a few carrots in my pockets, and hiked to the stable. With all the noise and celebration in the house, I didn’t want the animals to be left out. That’s just the kind of kid I was.
I arrived at the stable. It was quiet in the barn with the smell of hay and the cozy odors of horses’; the quiet of my own breathing. I walked down the long aisle of the barn and stopped to pet the horses and I wished them a Merry Christmas (that was just the sort of kid I was; I loved animals that much). I stood there for a long time, even after I had passed out all the carrots and sugar. I can’t explain it, but I stood there in the middle of the aisle in that quiet barn feeling so protected, so loved. Maybe it was the solitude contrasted against all the bustling back at the farmhouse, but God spoke to me that afternoon. I felt His love.
Now, maybe you don’t live on a farm. Perhaps when you look outside, you see the backyard of your neighbor. Or you might live in an apartment, or a trailer. Not many of us live near a stable, but you now what I’m talking about. Find that place to be apart. It could be a walk to a park today or an upstairs bedroom. Wherever it is, make time to be alone today with Him. For Luke chapter 2 tells us, When the baby was born she wrapped Him in clothes and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Well, friend, make room in your day today, in your evening, for a few moments of quiet; and I tell you if you’ve got a minute, visit me today at joniandfriendsradio.org and share your thoughts with me, I’ve got a special Christmas song I’ve posted today; called “Have Yourself A Blessed Little Christmas”, and wherever you spend that quiet place apart. Merry Christmas!
Song: Composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr; Public Domain
(Previously aired as #6953 on 12/24/08)
© Joni and Friends
