For nearly 45 years, I celebrated Christmas Eve service at First Presbyterian Church of Green Bay and every year the service ended the same. They dimmed the lights, everyone lit their candles from the Christ candle, and we sang Silent Night, Holy Night! This was always one of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions and Silent Night has always been one of my favorite Christmas hymns.
I always felt like Silent Night was the perfect hymn to end the Christmas Eve service. With all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season, just like all the noise and commotion in the stable, this song reminds us to take “silent” time to be with God and thank God. Thank Him for giving us his only son Jesus and “redeeming grace”.
Prayer: Dear God, the stable was filled with all kinds of noise and commotion, but nothing could distract from the most beautiful gift, “Christ the Savior is born!” In this world where the noise keeps getting louder, schedules busier, and distractions more prevalent, let the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, remind us to not let outside noise distract us from loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.
Jonathan Mikulsky