A&M United Methodist Church

417 University Drive, College Station, TX 77840

SILENT NIGHT

Reverend Kip R. Gilts

Luke 2:1-15

18,075 nights and counting. That’s how many nights I have spent on this big blue ball called earth. 18,075. And yet, I can count on one hand the number of unforgettable nights. One of them, of course, came on 7/7/77 at 7pm. This was the night I said, “I do” to my bride. Two other unforgettable nights involved babies being born, my babies. Three unforgettable nights out of 18,075 nights. How many can you count from your life?

Joseph Mohr spent only 20,447 nights on this earth. He was one week shy of his 56 th birthday when he died on December 4, 1848 . His birthday was December 11 th, but it was another December night that proved to be the most unforgettable of his life. Christmas Eve 1818. That was the night when the young pastor introduced a poem he had written a couple of years earlier. He had written it to tell the Christmas story to simple Austrian villagers, “Silent Night. Holy Night.” The song tells the story of a young mother, humble shepherds, jubilant angels and a world in need, all of whom met on one unforgettable night. Let us pray.

This was a special night for Mary and Joseph.

You know the story. This young couple, engaged to be married, traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem , nearly 90 grueling miles. When they got there she gave birth to a baby, not in the Hilton or the hospital, but in a stable, where she placed the child in a feed trough, a manger. These are to us humble, maybe even scandalous beginnings, but for Mary and Joseph, it was a special, unforgettable night.

Now mothers, let me go on record saying that the one thing I know about childbirth, is that I know nothing about childbirth. All I know is what it’s like to be the dad. This perspective is one of wonder, fear, helplessness and invigoration. I am amazed at how much I remember about October 24 th, 1985 and January 24 th, 1991 , both Thursdays. 9:21 p.m. and 9:51 p.m. Dr. Hendel, Dr. Boyd. World Series between Kansas City and St. Louis . A funeral for Ruth. My wife whose courage and tenderness shined brightly on both nights. Parents, remember those nights on this night. Children, ask your parents what they remember.

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.

This was a special night, an unforgettable night.

This was a spectacular night for the shepherds.

Can you imagine? There are few things more monotonous than being a night watchman. This was the job of the shepherds, to watch so that no one or nothing would disturb their flock. They would search the dark corners of the horizon to see if anything advanced on the defenseless sheep. Then all of a sudden - brightness, angels, voices, singing. Luke minced no words. He literally wrote, “they feared greatly with great fear.” Our Bibles say, “They were terrified.”

I never read this without remembering one night playing basketball at Washington Elementary School in Findlay , Ohio . A bright light appeared in the sky and a low hum accompanied it. It seemed to be getting closer and the light became more bright and started twinkling. The hum became a roar and I started toward home. It was the longest three and a half blocks I would ever walk. I started out slow as I gazed and squinted at the light. Soon I was walking fast and then running toward safety. What could it be? I went from being curious to amazed to fearful to terrified in those few blocks. The UFO seemed to hover over my house. It was sending out a message in those bright lights, I could now read it. “Goodyear!”

My fears were relieved and I was a little embarrassed by my first sighting of a blimp. Not so with the shepherds. Theirs was a real message, a spectacular message.

Silent Night. Holy night, shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing, “Alleluia”
Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born.

Do you think they could have ever forgotten that night? Of course not! This was a spectacular night, an unforgettable night.

This was a supernatural night for the angels.

Now I think angels are already in that supernatural realm, but they understand themselves to be mere messengers. In fact, that’s what the word, “angelos” means, “messenger.” They were appointed by God to bring the message to shepherds and sing God’s praise to all the world. I can imagine that they had been waiting to do this since the beginning of time. That’s a long wait.

Earlier this month, a young man came into my office and plopped down on the sofa. He let out a sigh as though he were exhausted. I knew that this young man recently got engaged so I asked him how the wedding plans were going. He sighed again and confessed, “I’m totally lost. I’ve discovered that she and her friends have been planning this their whole lives and I’ve just started thinking about it.”

“Stay out of the way and show up on time,” was my advice to this overwhelmed groom.

“She’s been planning this her whole life.” That’s what could have been said of the angels, heavenly messengers, that had been waiting to announce the greatest message ever.

Silent Night, holy night, wondrous star lend thy light,
With the angels let us sing, “Alleluia” to our King,
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

We get to sing with the angels the greatest message, “Christ the Savior is born.” This was a supernatural night, an unforgettable night.

This was a savior’s night for all the world.

Why do we relive this story every year? After all, we’re not the parents of this special night. We’re not the shepherds of this spectacular night; we’re not the angels of this supernatural night. We weren’t even there on this unforgettable night – or were we? “I am bringing you good news of great joy, for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David , a Savior.”

I read this week these words written by William Arndt, “We at times forget that “ Savior” means “ Rescuer.” The term presupposes that there is danger, disaster, out of which the rescuer snatches those whom he helps.”

Now think for a moment - what is it from which you need to be rescued? Is it aloneness, anxiety, illness, guilt, anger, doubts, boredom? What is it? “I am bringing you good news of great joy, for all the people: to you is born a Savior.”

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light:
Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

What an unforgettable night for Mary & Joseph, shepherds and angels, you and me. And yet so many have forgotten. Sometimes we endure Christmas Eve services with all the enthusiasm of Susie Walker in “The Miracle on 34 th Street.” The little girl wasn’t sure about Kris Kringle, especially since she did not receive the one thing she needed for Christmas. She was trying to hold on to her faith, but not being very effective.

She sighs in the window seat of the car, “I believe, I believe. I believe, I believe.” Her affect is flat, her voice a depressed mumble. Until she sees something that brings her belief to life. “Stop the car!” She shouts and runs out to explore all of life.

When I first saw this clip this year, I rewound it and watched it again and again. I watched it in French; I watched it with Spanish sub-titles. I watched it again in English. “I believe, I believe. I believe, I believe. Stop the car!” This is what can happen on one unforgettable night. I am bringing you good news of great joy, “To you is born a savior, a rescuer.” Silent Night. Holy Night. Indeed.

Amen.

Sunday Worship Services are at 8:30, 9:45 and 10:50 a.m.

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