On Glory and Peace

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No room for them in the inn.

We’re familiar with the words, yet somehow, upon repeating them, my heart saddens at the moment.

As if a prediction of how the world would treat Jesus, the King, from the moment He came to earth, no room was available for the glorious moment of his miraculous birth.

I’d like to think that someone would have been prepared for his coming- this baby come to save the world from sin.

Surely a baby shower should have been given to Mary. Her registry would have been carefully researched for the best gift suitable for one so long awaited.  The beauty of soft baby blankets, lined in satin, and magnificent wonder of all the most modern gadgets should have been stacked in waiting for the moment of arrival.

But there was no earthly fanfare. No string of lights or silver tinsel. Not a single box of baby wipes or freshly painted room.

The greatest gift wasn’t wrapped in shiny silver paper, but in swaddling clothes.

the greatest gift wrapping

And those swaddling clothes? They were a sign. No Carter’s or Gymboree available, the swaddling clothes, coupled with the manger, served as a sign of promise.

The nightshift shepherds were tending to their duties when the angel of the Lord appeared to them. As if seeing the angel wasn’t enough to scare them to death, the glory of the Lord was shining all around them. Breathtaking and unlike anything, the shepherds had ever seen, the angel delivered the sign of the swaddling clothes.

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:10-13

Then suddenly, instead of one angel, the shepherds saw a multitude of angels- Heaven’s army broke out in a Hallelujah chorus unlike we’ve ever heard.

 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Glory appeared in the dark of the night and peace arrived in swaddling clothes.

Not the arrival we might anticipate, yet perfectly designed and executed.

And as I ponder all the things that Mary might have pondered in her heart after the shepherds paid a visit to the stable, I have to wonder…

Where are we searching for glory and peace?