In The Broken Silence

Every year a different aspect of the Christmas story is brought to my attention and touches my heart. Last Christmas it was the fulfilled promise of a Savior and faithfulness of our God.

This year, I've been gravitating towards the intent of the way God made His physical presence in the world. Between the Old Testament and New Testament there was a period of 400 years of silence between God and man. For 400 years, the people of God waited. For 400 years, they doubted. For 400 years, they hoped.

An angel broke that silence. Not with legions of angels, choirs, lights or sounds from heaven, but in a conversation. A conversation between an angel and a young woman. In this conversation the silence was broken. 400 years of silence wasn't broken with a bang or clash, but with a conversation that ended with the humble response, "I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled."

On the night of our Savior's birth, the silence was broken to shepherds in the field by angels in the sky. Kings, leaders of nations, entire nations weren't given this incredible birth announcement - but shepherds. The common man.

God did not physically come into this world to claim His rule. His rule has been implemented since the beginning of time and will continue forever. God made His presence in this world to save His people. Jesus entered and left this world with great humility and in this humility He claimed His people as the redeemed children of God. Through the humility and subtleness of the broken silence, God didn't show His intent of rule and power, but instead of the eternal gift of salvation for all.