Joseph, how heavy did the weight of responsibility feel upon you? Could you see beyond that tiny human body for who He really was? How peaceful did that little stable feel that night?
Elizabeth, do you understand how vital of a role you had in bringing about the Messiah? Did you ever hear the words of the prophet Malachi and ever dream to imagine it would be you that would bring about the next prophet of Israel? How special did it feel to hold your precious little baby boy?
Zacharias, in your silence, did you grasp the importance of these events? Did you come to terms of what you were specifically chosen to do? Did you also know the words of the prophet Malachi and realize your little son would one day prepare the way before the Son of God? Did you realize that when your silence was broken, so also was the silence in Israel about to be broken?
Innkeeper, if only you knew who it was that needed a room! You would have cleared out the whole Inn, had you known! Did something draw you out to the stable to see who had been born, and did Mary or Joseph tell you this was Jesus, the Son of God? Would you have believed if they did tell you?
Shepherds, did you realize that when you laid your eyes on that babe, you laid your eyes on the One true Shepherd that would one day lead you to everlasting life through Him? Did you understand that this whole time is was you that was really the lost sheep, and here before you, lay the One to open the door to salvation!
Wise Men, were you brought to your knees in humility in the presence of this little toddler? Did all the wisdom of man melt away at the sight of the King!? Did you realize how foolish man is in his sins?
Herod, now you are aware of your folly. Didn't you know you never really had a kingdom of your own, but that all belongs to God? Didn't you realize you weren't a king, but a servant, a slave of Satan!? Oh, Herod, didn't you know that little Child you tried to kill could have freed you from your chains? And now, what would you want to say to those ignorantly following in your footsteps?
And Simeon, we have so much of patience to learn from you! Was it worth the wait?
Anna, do you know how special your prayer of thanksgiving for the Redeemer was?
Isaiah, did you get to witness all of this? How did it feel to finally see your Immanuel as man on earth?
Malachi, how did it feel to see Jesus Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, come to save the souls of the Israel God so loved? What did you think of Israel over 400 years later? Did the Messiah come in the way you expected Him to come? Do you yearn still today for all the Jews and Gentiles to come to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to ask for forgiveness of their sins!?
Oh Israel, didn't you know this was your long awaited King!? Why weren't you watching Bethlehem? Why didn't you heed the words of your prophets? Didn't you know so many times He wanted to gather you like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings and you were not willing? Didn't you realize all those thousands of years was built up to this one moment in time when YHVH would come to be born as a man on this earth to save the people from their sins? Israel, don't you know He came for you first? Jesus Christ, your Messiah, came for you first. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." -Romans 1:16
Angels, did you experience different emotions? Did you know that the King of Kings would be brought lower than you? How did it feel to see God's plan unfold and know the Christ would have victory over death? How full of joy were you!?
And Father, You, what did You feel? How did it feel to place Your beloved Son in such a vulnerable and innocent body, in such a wicked and shameful world? Did you comfort Your Son that night? Did You ensure Him You would comfort Him every day of His long journey ahead of Him? Father, why were You silent that night? Why didn't You sound trumpets for all the people on the earth to hear that Your Son, their Savior, had finally come!? Was Your silence to be louder than heavenly trumpets? Are we to learn faith through Your silence? Or could Your silence be sorrow? How heavy did the burden of the people become? Were you looking into the future when this little babe would one day be a man and You would have to place all the burden of the sins of the people on Him? Were His words ringing in Your thoughts, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani"? Lord, You sacrificed Your only begotten Son for the sins of this people, is this why You were silent? Or are Your first spoken words that broke Your silence since Malachi to be all the more heavier and paid attention to, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."(Matthew 3:17)? Father, perhaps You did speak that night? Not in words, but in manifestation. Your Son, You tell us (John 1:1-5), is the Word of God. Did Jesus break Your silence, because HE is Your Word? Was Your love for mankind so great, You found utter joy in sending Your beloved Son to this earth to save them from their sins? Oh Lord, how could it be!? How could Your love be so great that You sacrificed Your Son for wretched sinners like us? We are so undeserving of Your gift, and yet, Your joy and beloved Son has been given to us and has filled us with His joy! Father, to us, that was a glorious night! The night that You sent Your Son to be a Savior to us, must be the most special night of our year. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us that wonderful night to remember, and thank you, Father, for manifesting Yourself to us through Your only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that precious silent night.
"The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory." -Psalm 97:6
"For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" -2 Peter 1:17