Day 12: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Day 12

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, good will to men,

From heaven's all-gracious King."

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing. 

Misty clouds of breath surrounded Celia as she trudged from the parking lot to the beginning of the trail. Frost etched the shapes of the trees into the grass where the sun hadn’t yet reached. The best of winter mornings for hiking — cold, clear, and empty of other hikers. 

Merry was late, as Celia had expected her to be, but Celia appreciated the few moments of peace in the open air. Merry would soon fill it with her chatter. Celia’s head clamored with yesterday’s conversation with Althea. How could she write a Christmas sermon? A former pastor had told her that Christmas Eve was like hosting the Academy Awards for pastors. People dressed in finery walked the red carpet of poinsettias and candles to hear a memorable monologue that had to last many of them until Easter. An expectant crowd. A memorable monologue. Was she up to that? 

Other than teaching Vacation Bible School a few summers, Celia had little experience with relating scriptural truths. Noah’s Ark or Zacchaeus up in his tree were hits with the preschool crowd but would hardly do for Christmas Eve. And what about her mantra for her story: Stay out of Bethlehem? She could hardly do that for a Christmas sermon. 

Merry’s enthusiastic honking brought her back to the beautiful morning. Celia waved and walked back down the trail to the parking lot to meet her. 

Advent Challenge: A glorious sunrise lifts the spirit. Out of darkness, the light of the sun makes the world clear: fields filled with flowers, trees filled with birds, sky dotted with wispy clouds. A glorious song lifts the soul. Out of darkness, the light of the star and the song of the angels make God’s plan clear: a Savior born in a manger, God’s peace and good will given freely to all, the promise of heaven. Take a few minutes today at a window thanking God for everything you see. Then take a few more minutes to thank God for the star, the song, the Savior, his peace, and his promise. 

Prayer: For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world give back the song which now the angels sing. Lord, lift us to your peace. Amen