January 6: Peace in the Midst of a Troubled World
♫ Music:
Wednesday, January 6
Scripture: John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
PEACE IN THE MIDST OF A TROUBLED WORLD
In 1818 Franz Gruber set Joseph Mohr’s nativity poem to music. “Silent Night” is one of the most beloved Christmas carols sung around the world today. Regardless of where we hear it, for most of us, it causes us to pause and think about that momentous night.
Jesus entered the world as the babe of a virgin. The lyrics of “Silent Night”describe the scene poignantly as a silent yet holy and marvelous night. In reality it probably was not so silent a night. The town of Bethlehem was likely in chaos. It was no doubt crowded and bustling from the influx of travelers responding to the Roman edict to comply with the census. Soldiers marched the streets to keep the peace. Lodging was at full capacity. Joseph sought anxiously to find a place of shelter for his expectant wife, Mary, who was just hours from delivery. The local shepherds in fear and awe witnessed the glory of God streaming from heaven as angels announced the good news, the arrival of the Savior. Yet In the midst of all the excitement, the newborn son, God’s pure light, was enveloped in the sleep of heavenly peace.
Thirty-three years later, there was another silent night. Again, it wasn’t quiet outside. Temple soldiers marched through the streets looking for the one who called himself Jesus, proclaimed by some to be the King of the Jews. Yet in a quiet upper room, Jesus and those he called family prepared to share the Passover meal together. It was a holy, intimate evening. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and spoke of a New Covenant. He explained the events that would take place that very night and after his death. In spite of all that was ahead for the twelve, Jesus encouraged them with these words, “I have said these things to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the World.” These were not common words for someone who was headed for the cross - hardly the words one would expect to be spoken to disciples who would soon be hiding for their lives, and yet we know the rest of the story.
We still live in a very troubled world. The news of wars, violence in the streets, terrorism and threats of human annihilation fill the media. In the midst of the trials and tribulations of our personal lives and the chaos and crisis we see in our world, we must recall the words of the One who brought us peace. Jesus has indeed overcome the world and in him alone we will find rest.
PRAYER
God, during this holy season of the year we acknowledge your sacrifice of love. You came in the person of Jesus as an innocent, newborn babe. You made your home in our midst and gave yourself in order that our lives would be redeemed. Though we live in a world that we cannot often understand or easily explain, we know that in you we find love, hope and peace.
Amen.
Lori Nicholson, Instructional Designer, Distance Learning
The Christmas Truce 1914 (with Gary Palmer)
Drew Franklin Video
About the Video
Gary Palmer was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2014, representing Alabama’s 6th congressional district. In this video, Palmer recounts a miraculous story from the trenches of World War I. The 1914 Christmas truce was a series of widespread but unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front. On Christmas Eve and Day, German and British soldiers crossed trenches and ventured into no-man’s-land to exchange food and souvenirs. There were funeral services, prisoner swaps, soccer games, carolling, and worship services.
About the Music
“Silent Night”
Lyrics
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,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of grace.
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth;
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
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.
About the Music
The first performance of the world’s most famous Christmas carol, “Silent Night,” took place at a Christmas Eve service in 1818 at St. Nicholas’ Church in the village of Obendorf, Germany. Joseph Mohr, assistant to the priest, faced a challenge when the church organ broke before the ceremony. In desperation, he asked his friend Franz Gruber, the organist at St. Nicholas, to write accompanying music to the poem Mohr had penned. Gruber complied, and a few nights later with guitar in hand they sang the newly penned hymn.
About the Performer
Joshua "Josh" Groban (b. 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. Groban has recorded six albums. His first four have been certified multi-platinum, and he was charted in 2007 as the number-one best-selling artist in the United States, with over 22.3 million record sales. To date, he has sold over 25 million records worldwide.
Website: www.joshgroban.com