Silent Night - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 25

Silent Night
By Gina Smith

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace…

We’ve spent the past few days talking about how to find biblical joy by focusing on the truths that are found in the theologically packed hymns we have been singing all of our lives. I don’t know about you, but meditating on these lyrics has adjusted my perspective and reminded me to WORSHIP!

Of course, it’s okay to take part in some of the seasonal and cultural celebrations like decorating a tree, buying gifts for loved ones, hosting a festive party, or going driving at night to see the beautifully decorated homes. But let’s not allow it to drown out the celebrating of all that we have been given because Jesus came. Let’s ask God to remind us today and every day, that even though we deserve death, we can have peace with God because Jesus came. That is the definition of grace! Amazing grace!

The song “Silent Night” stirs up pictures in our minds of a calm night, stars brightly twinkling in the sky, and a newborn baby sleeping. It talks of a mother who lovingly sits at the bedside of her newborn son and of shepherds that are watching nearby, having been led there by a star.

I love what is pictured in this line: “Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace.”

Radiant beams from His holy face – redeeming grace has been given! It’s the reason Jesus came. It is freely offered to us. It is our hope for the future and what will sustain us in the present. It is what reconciles us to God. Don’t you want to sing this hymn and every hymn we have talked about this week and be moved to worship? Don’t you want to allow the Holy Spirit to whisper the truth found in them in your ears?

You CAN be moved to worship and hear the truths ring in your ears:

When you sit in church and sing Christmas hymns…
When you watch the children’s ministry Christmas play and see the nativity scene reenacted…
When the story of the birth of Christ is read from the pulpit…
When you are Christmas shopping and hear music playing in the background…

You can be moved to worship and JOY in all of these familiar traditions when you picture the “Radiant beams from His holy face” and thank Him for “the dawn of redeeming grace.”

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Christmas hymns can be used to remind you of truths in God’s Word and can be turned into moments of worship. Christmas hymns can be used as a springboard for sharing the gospel. Let’s pray that we will be alert to His truths and to gospel opportunities this Christmas!

Let’s pray:
Father, thank you for the amazing, redeeming grace that came to earth in the form of a baby and died for the sin of the world so that I can have peace with You. This season and every day, I worship and praise all that You have provided for those who believe in you. Help me to hear the truths in each act of celebration this Christmas and to truly worship You from my heart. Amen.

Silent Night, Holy Night

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.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

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.

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!

Gina Smith is a writer and author. She has been married for 35 years to Brian, a college professor and athletic trainer. For 25+ years, she and her husband served on a Christian college campus as the on-campus parents, where Brian was a professor and dean of students. They reside right outside of Washington, DC, and are the parents of two grown children, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, and one granddaughter. She recently authored her first traditionally published book, Everyday Prayers for Joy, which is available everywhere books are sold. You can find Gina at the following: Website: ginalsmith.com, Instagram, and at Million Praying Moms, where she is a writer.