Not So Silent Night

NOT SO SILENT NIGHT

Luke 2:8-20

LK 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

LK 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

LK 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

LK 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

LK 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Illustration: On December 24, 1818 in the little village of Oberndorf, Austria, the whole town was preparing for the Christmas service, the highlight of the season. But Father Joseph Mohr was worried. The chapel organ was broken, and heavy snowfall kept the repairman from the next village from being able to get there. The Christmas service would be devoid of the beloved Christmas music.

For months Father Mohr had wanted to write a new song for Christmas. But the words had eluded him. As he sat at his desk pondering, he saw someone struggling through the snow toward his cabin. He opened the door and saw a woman, she explained to him that a family from over the mountain had asked that he come and bless their first born child who had just been born.

Bundling up the priest made his way to their home. Upon his arrival he saw the most beautiful scene. There lay the new mother in her bed smiling as she and the father were looking in the little wooden crib beside the bed that held their newborn son.

The priest admired the baby and blessed him and his parents. Then as he trudged home through the silent snow, he thought of how this family reminded him of the same scene in Bethlehem centuries before on the first Christmas night.

The words of the song came pouring in as joy filled Mohr’s heart, as he arrived home he wrote them down. That morning he asked his friend Franz Gruber to compose the tune to the song. This little congregation in Oberndorf heard that evening “Silent Night” for the first time. Gruber accompanied Mohr as they both sang. Silent Nigh Holy Night, all is calm all is bright Ron yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in Heavenly peace.

That night these words refer to though was anything but Silent and calm. On that night Luke records for us “A multitude of heavenly hosts praising God saying Glory to God in the highest peace on earth among men with whom he is pleased. This is similar to the cry of the people upon Jesus entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In Revelation, the heavenly host and all those who stand before the throne sing similar praise. On that night the message spoken first through the prophets for hundreds of years was now spoken by Angels to a group of shepherds. This message is spoken today in His word to His people. The message has three actions the first is

Hear the Message: Luke 2:9-12

1. Good News

2. The Long awaited Savior had come

3. Here is how you will find him.

4. Isaiah tells us in Is. 9:6-7

ISA 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.ISA 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it