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Listen while you read: "Silent Night Holy Night"1 (Lyrics) |
In 1965/66, I was living in a work camp near the city of Muscat in Oman. Muscat was a very compact city at that time. There were many shops and residences, a bank, an agent to import and export goods, and a small hospital called the "American Mission Hospital". There was a small chapel within the hospital complex. Word got to us that there was to be a Christmas Eve service, and about twenty of us went.
We had to drive some twenty miles to the city, which at that time still looked very much as I imagine biblical cities looked like at the time of Christ. There was a big wall on the land side of the city; the other side faced the Gulf of Oman. To enter the city, we had to go through a big door in the wall where the old men still gathered to have discussions. This door was open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., but there was a Judas gate, a small door through which a person could enter or depart on foot. When we got to the city, we parked our vehicles and walked through the small door into the city, down the narrow streets, past the closed shops and the residences, until we came to the hospital and the chapel. Other than those of us from the camp, there were not too many people in attendance, just some hospital staff and a few local people.
Historical writings tell us that Bethlehem was also a small walled city. Joseph and Mary, as well as many others, were forced to go to the home of their ancestors for the census ordered by Caesar Augustus. I would imagine that they also had to go through the main gate, walk down the narrow streets, past shops and places where people lived, looking for a place to spend the night. They were tired from the long trip from Nazareth and they were desperate to find a place, because Mary was due to give birth.
Luke 2:6-7 – So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NKJV)
As we drove back to camp after the service, we discussed the service and how nice it was to go to worship, to again hear about the birth of Christ, and to sing the beautiful carols of the Christmas season. How good it was to be away from the camp for a couple of hours! Even though some of us were lonely, far away from home, it was still a very happy event.
Joseph and Mary were also far from home, alone and lonely in a strange place. Yet, there in that place, they experienced the most happy event. That night, Jesus was born, and the words of the angel were fulfilled:
Luke 1:31 – And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. (NKJV)
Let's ensure that we participate in the joy of gathering together to worship our Lord this Christmas Eve!
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we pray that many people will attend the Christmas services and that they will be moved by the experience and that it will bring peace in their hearts. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Amen, Joel. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Joel.
Thanks Joel. May you and your family have a peaceful Christmas season.
Your devotionals are always interesting and relevant, Joel. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and those you love.
Wonderful Joel.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Blessings.
Wishing you the Peace of this wonderful time Joel. May 2024 bring peace to everyone.
Thank you for your thoughtful devotions.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today! I’ve been many places in this world of ours, but never to Oman. I’m glad you had this experience. Blessings.
Thank you for this beautiful meditation. May the Christmas angel always sing in your heart.
God’s richest blessings on you and your loved ones.
Good afternoon, Joel,
Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. You have encouraged me to attend the Christmas eve service.
Thank you for all your writing. This particular one is very meaningful.
Enjoy the peace of the birth. Merry Christmas.
(Manitoba)
Thank you, Joel, for another of your very special devotional writings. Yes, this is a very happy time of the year when we gather to celebrate the arrival of our loving Lord Jesus. Blessings for your writings and much joy for your celebrations today.
Hi Joel,
Thank you for your meaningful meditation.
I wish both you and your wife a very Merry Christmas.
I was at church this morning but not sure if I’ll get to an evening service.
Blessings.
Dear Joel,
Thank you for sharing about your experience in Muscat many years ago which triggered a memory of how my wife’s great uncle and his wife where missionaries in the Reformed Church and lived in Muscat in the early 1900’s. He was involved in building the first hospital in Muscat. They also worked with the pioneer missionaries in Arabia.
Blessings as you celebrate Christmas and wait for the New Year.
Read this after we came home from the Nativity Pageant at our home church. Singing the old carols and seeing the kids in their costumes was a joy in itself.
Thanks, Joel, for this unique memory, as well as for the other Devotionals you’ve contributed the past year.
Keep up the good and inspiring work!
(BC)
Good morning, Joel,
Thank you for sharing about this Christmas Eve and your impressions. It is always good to get a better understanding of parts of the world and parts of people’s lives. I have been blessed with always being home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I am not a traveller or adventurous which makes it possible. I am blessed to have been born into a Christian family and falling in love with another Christian.
May you and your family be blessed with a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year.
Dear Joel.
As I began to read your message for today, I posed a question for myself. “Who is today’s author?” And immediately your name came to mind. Your style is so recognizable, and your contributions are always so deeply thoughtful, and well scripted. And the message is never vague!! The joy of our lives as Christians is always paramount. And you’ve shared so may rich eventful life experiences with us over your years of contributing to PresbyCan’s Daily Devotional. Thank you for enriching my spiritual life with your messages. They always speak to my need.
Thank you, Joel. What a great experience you had in Oman! It certainly helps to picture what Joseph and Mary experienced on that blessed evening.