No Silent Night

For a people accustomed to hearing from the Lord through faithful prophets, 400 years of His silence must have seemed a near-tangible weight to bear. Despite century after century of idolatrous rebellion, God had always before forgiven Israel when their sins’ consequences brought them to repentance. Even exile from the Promised Land had eventually given way to the restoration of a remnant! But now, as the prophet Amos wrote, a famine of hearing the words of the Lord had fallen upon them. Israel must have wondered if God had at last grown completely weary of them, asked if His Word would never return, and even feared that the long-awaited Messiah might not ever be sent.

And then, after 400 long years, the silence was broken.

First, an elderly priest heard… though he could scarcely believe the angel’s message. Then, a young girl listened, responding to Divine revelation with obedience and contemplation. Friends and neighbors began to whisper that the Lord was at work, and rekindled hope slowly dared to spread… until one day the Heavenly Host unveiled itself before a ragtag band of common herdsmen, bathed in the brilliant light of a miraculous star, and pointed to the arrival of Love Incarnated. Now, God would speak to all men… not through a servant’s articulation, but by means of His own human voice.

The Word was made flesh
and dwelt among us
We beheld the glory of the Father
full of grace and truth

As Advent’s hopeful expectation gives way to Christmas’ joyous celebration, may we continually rejoice in the hope which comes from the never-departing Word of God: Jesus Christ, God Himself, who is forever with us.

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Merry Christmas from the Husband family!

Thank you for the gift of your patience with us, as we continue this season of healing and recovery Stateside. Though there remains ground to gain, our health has come a long way – and we look forward to sharing some of what we are learning in the weeks to come.