Friday, December 24, 2010
SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT:
... LOVE'S PURE LIGHT ... BEAMS FROM THY HOLY FACE ...
There are few things as cheering as an infant's smile. Of course, we are told that they cannot smile at such an early age. It must be a grimace. It must be gas. That they can have. But parents know of a happy, contented look on the face of an infant looking up into his mother's face. It fairly radiates joy and is treasured in a parent's memory. What did Mary see when she nursed her infant son and looked into his eyes? He was a true human being, and no doubt Mary experienced what other mother's have experienced.
But there was more! God's angel Gabriel had said so. And someone who bowed before that promise ("May it be to me as you have said.") would see it by heart. "For God ... made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). G o d i s l o v e, and to look to the Babe of Bethlehem, whether He appears to be smiling or not, is to see God's great love radiant(ly) beam from His little face. As the original version put it: "How love laughs from Your divine mouth!" (O wie lacht Lieb' aus deinem goettlichen Mund!)
Tonight once again many believers around the world will approach the manger in heart and mind, as does our Christmas Carol. The third stanza no longer talks about the holy family, or the shepherds and angels, but directly comes to the Child and addresses Him.
Son of God, Love's light beams radiant from Your holy face!
The LORD make His face to shine upon you ...
