Christmas is here, but whatever happened to “Silent Night”? Everyone is in a frantic rush to go a-shopping. With stockings to be hung, carols to be sung, and baking to be done, there’s not much time left for quietude. I submit to you that we ought to quit rushing and start hushing. It is in the stillness of this season Christ speaks.

“Can This Be Christmas?”
“What's all this hectic rush and worry?
Where go these crowds who run and scurry?
Why all the lights – the Christmas trees?
The jolly "fat man," tell me please!
Why, don't you know? This is the day
For parties and for fun and play;
Why this is Christmas!
So this is Christmas, do you say?
But where is Christ this Christmas day?
Has He been lost among the throng?
His voice drowned out by empty song?
No. He's not here – you'll find Him where
Some humble soul now kneels in prayer,
Who knows the Christ of Christmas.
In countless homes the candles burning,
In countless hearts expectant yearning
For gifts and presents, food and fun,
And laughter till the day is done.
But not a tear of grief or sorrow
For Him so poor He had to borrow
A crib, a colt, a boat, a bed
Where He could lay His weary head.
I'm tired of all this empty celebration,
Of feasting, drinking, recreation;
I'll go instead to Calvary.
And there I'll kneel with those who know
The meaning of that manger low,
And find the Christ – this Christmas.
I leap by faith across the years
To that great day when He appears
The second time, to rule and reign,
To end all sorrow, death, and pain.
In endless bliss we then shall dwell
With Him who saved our souls from hell,
And worship Christ – not Christmas!”
— The late Dr. M.R. DeHaan