I Need a Silent Night

I have always loved the late night candlelight service on Christmas Eve. It seems to calm everything within me after the busyness of the season. The darkness of the church with just that one lighted candle, and the light spreading until the whole church glows, touches my heart and helps me realize that with this humble birth, God appeared to us to light up the earth with the light of His love, embodied in an infant. Of course, the song “Silent Night” is an important contribution to this feeling of calm and reverence. It has always been one of my favorites. 

I remember one year when we were living in Colby, Kansas, and we went to the eleven o’clock service on Christmas Eve. We came out with our usual feeling of “Now, we’re ready for Christmas.” As we walked to our car, the snow began drifting silently down in huge flakes, seeming like a Christmas miracle. Because, you see, in Western Kansas that is not how it usually snows. Kansas is windy, and when it snows in winter, it is usually horizontally, as in blizzards. I still remember looking up into the streetlamps and watching God’s blessings shower down on us in that beautiful snowfall.  

Reflect on the Word

God’s grace has appeared to all people, teaching us to turn from what harms us, live with integrity and hope, and eagerly await Christ’s return as a people shaped by His redeeming love.

Titus 2:11 - 14 (VOICE)

Take Time to Pray

Dear Lord, in this Christmas season, may we all have the peace and the joy that comes with this silent night. Amen  

Listen to the Carol

Music video by Amy Grant performing I Need A Silent Night (Lyric Video). © 2021 Amy Grant Productions.