Christmas, more than any other holiday has its own unique sounds. It has always brought with it sounds that you hear at no other time of the year. Sounds of children standing in line anxious and tired to see Santa. Sounds of children making their request for gifts made known to all those around them. Sounds of bell ringing by men and women collecting for the Salvation Army in front of stores. Sounds of dramas and choirs proclaiming the birth of Christ. The sounds of laughter come from endless Christmas parties. Sounds of offices trying to make deadlines before the holidays begin. Sounds of relatives greeting one another after a year of being apart. The whispers of an almost silent sanctuary with candles lit for a Christmas Eve service. Sounds of a restaurant overbooked trying to scurry around and seat its guests. In the North, the sound of cousins having their first snowball fight of the season. Sounds of airplanes, trains, and buses trying to get loved ones to their destination so they can enjoy the blessings of family. Sounds of bags rattling as people scurry through the mall with their gifts in hand. Sounds of new toys that are enticing us to buy them. All of these sounds are the sounds of Christmas present. Sounds we are familiar with and sounds that evoke us to think about the coming date of December 25th. We all have sounds that stir up the thoughts of our Christmas past but none of our sounds are anything like the sounds of that first Christmas.
What were the sounds of the first Christmas so long ago in the little town of Bethlehem?
First, we have the sound of the announcement to Mary, from the angel Gabriel, of the conception of Jesus.
Luke 1:26-31 “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”
Second, we hear the angel speaking to Joseph. Joseph was doubting in his heart what to do about Mary being pregnant, knowing it was not his child. God then sent his confirmation in a dream, that this was the Christ child.
Matthew 1:20-21 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Third, we hear the voice of the innkeeper telling Joseph there was no room in the Inn. Imagine Joseph as he searched for a safe and comfortable place for Mary to give birth to Immanuel.
Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Fourth, we have the sound of Mary in labor. Trust me, these would not have been pleasant sounds. The pain from giving childbirth feels as if you are one breath away from death. Soon you would hear the infant Jesus. The first sound of the God-Man would be a cry as he made his entrance into this world. So vulnerable yet, God in the flesh.
Luke 2:6 “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”
Fifth, the sounds of the animals in the stable. This must have been an unusual sight for all. I wonder if the animals sensed something was different about that night. It truly was a strange place to have a baby.
Sixth, the sound of the angels singing “Glory to God in the Highest!” The angels were praising God at the top of their lungs. Giving him glory for all he had done by making a plan to redeem man. I can imagine one angel turning to another with excitement and saying, “This is it, he is born.” Sometimes my imagination runs wild.
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Eighth, we had the sounds of the shepherds as they hurried to find the child that the angels told them about.
Luke 2:16-18 “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”
I’m sure you can think of many more of Christmas past, but let’s reflect now on our own Christmas. The sounds of Christmas present. What are the sounds of your Christmas? Do you sing praise to the one who died for you? Lifting your voice to the heavens in humble adoration. Do you think about the words of the song and what they mean? What about the sound of joyous Christians as they fellowship and study the word, or the wiping away of tears as someone surrenders their heart to the Lord? Do your sounds include daily prayers to the Savior of the world? Do you hear the sweet still voice of the Holy Spirit as he convicts your heart? Is He revealing areas in your life that are not fully surrendered to Him? Maybe your sounds are more like the ones mentioned in the first paragraph?
Listen closely to all the sounds of Christmas. They are all around you, creation itself reveals the glory of God. Everywhere you go he is there, and he is calling your name. Will you answer this Christmas with a resounding yes, I hear, and I will follow?
