Breaking the 400 Year Silence

Have you ever read a story that you've read thousands of times and notice something completely new? God has done that for me this year with the Christmas story. It started as we were rehearsing for Praise Team. We have been practicing to sing "Emmanuel," which was recorded by Chris Tomlin. One verse of that song says, "What fear we felt in the silent age, 400 years, can He be found?; but broken by a baby's cry, rejoice in the hallowed manger ground." I have been mulling that over in my mind, then we went to the Chris Tomlin Christmas concert last night and Louie Giglio spoke on that very thing. Do you ever stop and think about what transpired in that time represented by the single blank page in your Bible between the Old and New Testaments? It was 400 years of silence from God. God's people didn't hear His voice for 4 centuries! Now, I know I feel all out of sorts if I go days or weeks where I feel distant from God. I can't fathom a 400 year silence. The most amazing thing about the story? (this gives me chills!). How did He break the silence? It wasn't a loud trumpet or from a mighty king on an earthly throne, or even a deep voice from heaven. It was the precious cry of a baby. Whoa! I have attended thousands of deliveries in my job as a nurse, and there is nothing like the anticipation of a baby's first cry. The world had been waiting 400 years to hear the cry of Emmanuel, God with us, the Word made flesh, the one person who ever chose to be born. With the cry of a precious newborn infant, God set a plan into motion that no power could stop. A plan of redemption and mercy and grace. A plan that saved me out of the pit of sin and allowed me to live in Christ's freedom. A plan that is for every person. A plan that God has called each of us to proclaim to the nations! I'll close this post with the lyrics to a song I'm hoping to sing next Sunday morning (as long as my voice cooperates!)

A seed, it grows;
and somehow becomes a life.
It moves, she knows
that her baby has arrived.
She's so scared, but she's so blessed.
She lays down her fear
for the hope at her breast.

For she knows,. . .
One million chains could never hold back this moment in time
One thousand dreams could never dream what this moment truly means.
Heaven and Earth, they cradle the infinite Joy born on this night.
For it only takes One Child to forever change the world.

He stands beside her,
He share her pain if he only knew how
He whispers, "I love you."
As he gently strokes her brow
He's so scare, but he's so blessed.
There's a thundering pride pounding deep in his chest.

For he knows,. . .
One million chains could never hold back this moment in time
One thousand dreams could never dream what this moment truly means.
Heaven and Earth, they cradle the infinite Joy born on this night.
For it only takes One Child to forever change the world.

Christ is born!
We are blessed!
Every knee's gonna bow and every tongue shall confess
That we know, . . .
One million chains could never hold back this moment in time
One thousand dreams could never dream what this moment truly means.
Heaven and Earth, they cradle the infinite Joy born on this night.
For it only takes One Child . . .

This baby cries,
And for the first time, the world hears the voice of God weep.
Mary sings a lullaby as the Hope of the Nations gently falls asleep
She knows this is that One Child to forever change the world.