24 December 2010
Luke 2 v. 8-13
‘And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night’
For many in the busy, noisy, Western world, silence is both unnecessary and unnerving. A recent television programme, ‘The Big Silence’, made a fascinating exploration of the thoughts and experiences of volunteers, entering a silent retreat for the first time. In the silence they came face to face with buried parts of themselves, receiving healing, and there were several profound encounters with God.
The Bible has many accounts of people who spent time alone with the Lord, often in the desert, away from human distractions. Invariably their lives were shaped by these intense encounters.
Consider the conditions in the inn: apparently there was no recognition that the greatest event the world had ever known was taking place, no quietness to register that God himself had come to them, no room for the Word of God. But, in contrast, out on the hillside, shepherds were keeping watch; by necessity, listening to the sounds of the night. And it was to them the Word of God came, ‘a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’
‘Where shall the word be found,
Where will the word resound?
Not here, there is not enough silence,1’ wrote TS Elliot, challenging our Western busyness.
Let’s set aside some time this Christmas, even in the middle of the hectic activity, to come before God, not to pray, but to listen. Let Him come and speak His Word into our hearts, His Word that brings revelation, transformation and grace. And then let’s celebrate!
Prayer
Father God,
I live by every Word that comes from Your mouth
I want to hear Your voice this Christmas.
Help me to set aside time to be still and listen. Amen
1 Ash Wednesday 1930
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