Several years ago now my wife and I flew out to Salt Lake City right after Christmas to go snow skiing and enjoy the Rocky Mountains. This was before our precious daughter came along and we were free newly marrieds always searching for an adventure. We had new jobs, more money, and luggage that would pack quickly. On one of our flights to Salt Lake, we happened to sit behind a young baby and his new parents. In my experience with children, I've observed that some travel well and others, well, you know..... This was not a pleasant experience! That child screamed it's head off the entire trip! I felt bad for those poor parents but also wanted to intervene! They had forgotten the pacifier, void of juice, and with nothing to entertain this child! I would have screamed too if I were that child! Needless to say, it wasn't pleasant.
This expereince came back to me on Saturday Night as we sat in Christmas Eve Services at Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL. Picture a packed out large sanctuary with, pancaked in with friends and strangers alike. No nursery meant children from newborns and up were all in the service. You couldn't help but prepare for the worse in your mind! Screaming babies. Obnoxious children with not much parental eye. This was going to be dreadful!!!! Then, it hit me.
We always sing "Silent Night" as if the birth of Jesus was sort of sweet, clean, peaceful, and easy thing! Nothing could be further from the truth! After having a child now, I am certain that in that barn that night, it was chaotic, loud, and uncomfortable! But, yet in the chaos, peace was born! Jesus came to bring peace and awareness that God is still there in the most difficult and chaotic of experiences! Emmanuel, God with us!
As it turned out, our experience with my wife's family at that amazing service was a reminder of God's soveriegnty, peace, and power! What a great truth that God will never leave us or forsake us! He is there in our chaos, uncertainities, and uncomfortable situations! To God be the glory! What a great gift of Jesus Christ!
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
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