Oh Holy Night

The Christ child born into the stillness, the quiet of the night. Many come to adore Him, to worship Him and yet He is the one gifting them. He offers hope, peace, sensitivity, community; He offers a home.  One by one they come to worship Him and one by one they leave, filled with joy, understanding love. Balthasar, on bended knee, offers to the Christ child gold, telling the world that this child, born to Mary, born in a stable is a king; the King, our Christ.  On bended knee he speaks: “On this day, I visit my King, to You I pledge my allegiance, to You I offer my hand. Send me where you will, I will prepare a path, I will do as You wish.  

Here, now, I know Your Kingship shall reign until the end of time. To you I make a pledge, I pledge myself to Your service, send me when I am most needed.”  And the tiny Baby smiles. Next to enter is Melchior, He,too, has a present for the Christ Child. Mary motions for him to come close, he brings a gift of frankincense. A smile from Mary, a nod from Joseph and Melchior whispers to Jesus, “You will teach many, I will be your first; teach me so I may prepare the way for Your journey. They will call You teacher for You heart knows the truth and Your tongue will never script a lie. To You many will turn, the answers they will hear deep in their soul, Speak for I am listening.  ‘This day I come, you bless this day and give Me gift, I return the gift with faith and love.  Know this world may fright but love is yours forever. Listen to the heart, act upon the visions of the soul for My Father, this is where He dwells. That which I will teach lies dormant within your being so listen in the silence, listen among the chaos. You call Me teacher, I call you friend; know that I am always here.’”  It was Melchior who smiled as he made room for Gaspar to offer his gift. The gift of myrrh signifying Christ will walk the earth with human feet and His body one day cease. He asks to hold the Christ chid bear and Mary nods with approval. Gaspar cradles the child and holds Him close as he whispers into His ear, “Oh my Christ, my Savior Your presence has me humbled. To see You in the flesh my being still can not grasp for this is love, the purest of love to embody life as we do. You came for our confusion, You came because of our ignorance, You came that we may believe. In our haste we have forgotten, with our struggles we have tossed aside the promises, the truths which dwell within our soul. Yet here we are, here You are to guide us in our path, to teach us that to be human is to be divine for we dwell in the reality of Abba. Your body just like mine, You hurt just like me and one day Your body will no longer be. You are my King, my teacher, my Lord from You I will learn, I will act, I will love.  Humanity we share, holiness will humble my steps.”  He kisses the Child and gave Him to His Mother. And so Balthasar, Melchior and Gaspar joined the Holy Family in a prayer of praise and were on their way to spread the news of the Savior Child born in a manger, born that we may be saved.  Oh Holy Night, the stars show us the way, they tech us to pray for it is the night of our Savior’s birth. In human form He will show us how to love, to give, to care for in with our humanity we are flawed yet Christ will teach how, how to overcome our insecurities, overcome our ego and pride that we may fully serve Him with our many gifts, that we may offer His love to a world which knows much hate.  Oh Holy Night, Christ is born, our Savior walks the earth. Listen we must for the heart will speak, even when the mind shouts for domination. It is Christ who will teach us how to listen to silence the world around. Oh Holy Night, our Savior is born and we will learn to love.