Heavenly Peace for the Sleepless ~ Luke 2:1-20 ~ Christmas Eve

Photo courtesy of papajia2008 / freedigitalphotos.net

A while back, my wife and I came into possession of a rather large stuffed sheep.  At one time, it contained a fragrance that was supposed to relax you and help you fall asleep (something I think would be very useful).  Unfortunately, it doesn’t really smell like anything now.  I suppose you could count it, but that wouldn’t get you very far…

Insomnia has to be one of the most cruel tricks the human body can play against you.  Sometimes, when you need sleep the most, it eludes you—particularly in times of anxiety, and anguish.  On the other hand, when you need to be awake, you can’t fight it off.   Sometimes, sleep feels like a luxury that’s out of reach.

This was indeed the case on a cold night over two thousand years ago.  This was one of what would’ve been numerous sleepless nights for a poor, unwed teenage woman and her husband-to-be.  Both Mary and Joseph would have been subject to intense public disgrace that Mary was pregnant and unmarried. 

Not long after this, the ruthless and bloodthirsty Caesar Augustus decides to flex his political muscles by ordering a global census.  Multitudes of persons, most of whom were very poor, are forced to travel, at their own expense, to the town of their ancestry to register for taxes. 

With the child due at any time, they set out on the ninety-mile trip to Bethlehem that would have taken days. 

When they finally arrive, the time has come for the baby to be born—but there is no lodging available…  A cold, smelly stable will be their only refuge from the night. 

Things were no better for the shepherds.  They were out in the fields, counting sheep—but not to fall asleep.  They had a flock to watch.  The work was grueling and lonely—and their standard of living was no better than the sheep.

All said, this was a dreadful night for everyone.  But then, Jesus is born.  In a dark, cold, sleepless night in a smelly stable…  Angels invite the shepherds in from the fields to witness the sacred moment.  Light is now shining in the darkness.  God has become flesh to live among us.  Jesus is God’s answer to the cries of a suffering world. 

This is what God does: God isn’t silent and removed while God’s children hurt.  When we’re in the darkness, Jesus is born into it.  The light he brings is faith to see that he is with you—forgiving sins, healing wounds, calming anguish, delivering you in trials and temptations; making you new again.  Jesus is the hope of the sleepless—because he’s with you and all people who are weary and weeping, and with all who are working and watching by night on our behalf.  Even when all the world rejects you and you have no home and no place to belong, Jesus will be there. 

Jesus is born for you—so that you may know him, love him, and trust him. 

That is why he invites you to be joined to him in baptism; to meet him in the Scriptures; to feast on his body and blood at his table; and to pray to him at all times and in all places.  That is why you are invited to give him your life.  Receive Jesus; follow him; and you will see by faith all the ways he brings light into your darkness.  His desire is nothing less for you than to live and breathe in heavenly peace.

Tonight we sing the familiar song Away in a Manger.  Our children sang this so beautifully during our Christmas program on Sunday—and little wonder, because this is a song for all God’s children.

The first half tells the Christmas story—but the second half is a prayer:

I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with you there.

May this be your prayer—and know that God will answer it.  No matter what, Christ will bring his light into your darkness, that will comfort and deliver you through the night to the dawning of heavenly peace.