175. "All Is Calm, All Is Bright" - Carols of Encouragement

All is calm. But is it? Last week we kicked off a month-long series here on the podcast titled, Carols of Encouragement, inspired by the timeless lyrics of biblically-based Christmas carols. Through Christmas Eve we are reflecting on the profound truths hidden in these songs, discovering how they speak to our everyday struggles, and embracing through them the hope, peace, and joy that Christ brings. Especially in this season as we prepare for Christmas. Today we're peering into the Christmas carol that will invite us to what's calm and bright, perfect for this full and sometimes hectic season.

Could you use some calm today? Calm can be defined as stillness, peaceful, serene, tranquil. If you're anything like me, I'm not living in an abundance of stillness, peace, serenity, and tranquility today. But I'd like to be. I have a long list to accomplish, I feel like I'm behind, and the reminder that Christmas is just fifteen days away invites stress to replace my peace. I'm reminding myself, however, this is not what Christmas is to be about. Jesus' birth wasn't stressful (unless we consider how Mary and Joseph couldn't find a place to stay but ended up in a manger--that might have been stressful!). But our Carol of Encouragement this week reminds us of another perspective of that night--one of calm and brightness.

Silent Night is one of my all-time favorite Christmas carols.

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
’round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.

Ahh, there it is. All is calm, all is bright.

Can't you picture it all? Brand new parents who were likely weary from their long journey to Bethlehem, holding their newborn Son in a likely less than clean manger, filled with animal stench and sounds. But in that moment, none of that mattered. This baby wasn't just any Son. This Son was the Savior of the world--the Son of God. I image the hush throughout their surroundings and the indescribable peace felt in those moments. God couldn't have been nearer.

All was calm. That's what happens when Jesus is present. Back then in the manger, through Bible times, and for us still today.

But this first stanza reminds us it wasn't just calm, it was also bright.

Come explore this carol with me and embrace a calm and bright season. 

All is calm. All is bright. The peace of Jesus is always with us. Let's live in it and share it with others today. May we shine His light wherever God has us today. God bless you!

Links in this episode:

• Episode 174: Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room - Carols of Encouragement
• Silent Night
• Access my free Resource Library for ways to draw near to God this holiday season.
• Coffee and Calling: Choosing Your Word for 2025
• Find us on YouTube