“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23 NIV)
It’s been said that the first Christmas was anything but silent. People traveled to their own town to be registered for the census, a great company of angels praised God, shepherds glorified and praised God, Magi followed a star that would eventually lead them to the true King (while an earthly king was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him) and cries of a newborn baby filled the stable that night. Yup, it definitely wasn’t silent!
Fast forward to thousands of years later, we still find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. And while the world has tried to silence the meaning of that holy night, we’re called, now more than ever, to break the silence and let the world know the good news that we’re not alone because God has come to dwell with us. A “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). O tidings of comfort and joy!
Rising with the Son 