Listening

Perhaps the most favoured carol of all time, sung in many languages is  Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht first sung in 1818 at Oberndorf, Austria. The need to be silent in order to hear what God has to say is still an important aspect of following Jesus. 

So often we need tune our ears to hear God’s voice. It’s like the child who was told by his father during a symphony orchestra concert, “Listen for the flutes in this song. Don’t they sound beautiful?” The child, unable to distinguish the flutes, looks up at his father with a puzzled look, “What flutes, father?”

The child first needs to learn what flutes sound like on their own, separate from the whole orchestra, before he is able to hear them in a symphony. So it is with us as children of God. Unless we take the time to hear his voice in the quiet moments of life, we will not be able to hear him in the symphony sounds of life.

And we need to be reminded that the symphony of life includes the whole family of humanity. 

The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (13:2)

May we truly hear the cry of the poor, hungry, sick, afflicted and marginalised in our midst this Christmas. And may we respond in love, acting with mercy and justice to help bring about that ‘Silent Night’ and New Creation that we all yearn for. Until that time comes, may God strengthen us to struggle onward for peace and justice.” Amen