Were You There? – Sunday, December 23, 1984
Where you there on that Christmas night? Many were —citizens of Bethlehem, who went about their work and didn’t know a child was born. It’s not that he wasn’t expected. For thousands of years the people had word of His coming, waiting for a Savior; but now, at the moment, it was all so quiet. A mother, travelworn and weary, her husband with anxious eyes, and a baby who probably looked just like any other. No pomp, no press, no general announcement of His birth. He left His throne of glory to enter in a manger —and He did it quietly.
Those who found Him had pulled away from the clamor to do so. The shepherds could hear the angels chorus because they were not in the jangle of a city. The wise men searched out signs. But most simply overlooked the scene and waited for the King to come in might and glory and crush the world’s oppressions with a stroke.
They missed it all. And so might we, all these years later, no wiser than the preoccupied innkeepers, when we fail to see His presence in our lives.
That is because, of course, He still comes quietly, without loud proclamations. He does not crush our oppressions with a stroke but takes our hand and walks us through them with the sure experience of one who knows. But maybe, most important, though He came to all of us, collectively, His ministrations are personal, letting each of us see Him just how we need Him.
To those whose health is impaired, He is the great healer.
To the world’s forgotten, He is the one who notices even a sparrow’s fall.
To the frightened, He is the comforter.
And for all of us caught in the fog and frustration of mortality, His birth is a reminder that whoever we are and whatever burden we carry, God loves and remembers us. He sent His son into the trials and dust of this earth to tell us so.
So, at Christmas time, let us receive this gift of love. Were you there on that Christmas night? No. But our great hope is that, had we been, we would have hurried to the manger to place our gifts and sorrows at His feet. And that invitation to come unto Him is still open.
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December 23, 1984
Broadcast Number 2,888