The Nativity

The child is all that matters.

Nothing else matters.

Nothing.

A bitter night wind is blowing in from the sea of Palestine.

The people of Israel are in their beds.

Joseph and Mary are in a stable.

They sit in the straw looking at the child king of the universe.

On the hillsides, shepherds sleeping in the open air, are woken by a commotion.

As they gaze in wonder and alarm, the sky itself ceases to be.

Strange beings dance before their eyes.

Like men and women.

But radiant with cosmic light and beauty.

Angels have descended singing on the fields.

The shepherds are terrified but only for a moment.

An angel tells them to go to the stable they can see below and pay homage to the child king of universe.

The shepherds hurry down the hillside and cluster around the doorway to the stable.

They kneel before the royal one who has been born.

Behind them come three other men.

Imposing and regal.

They move through the group of shepherds with easy grace and calm authority.

They are dressed in rich robes.

They are earthly kings.

Days before they saw a star rising in the night sky and knew in their hearts that the star was the star of a new and greater king.

They have followed the star from their own far distant lands.

It has moved through the night sky and now at last it rests directly above the stable.

The three kings bow and present gifts.

Gold, frankinsense and myrrh.

The three kings recognise the child as the king of kings to whom all authority has been given.

Nothing else matters.

The child is all that matters.

Unto us a saviour is born.

He is Christ the Lord.

You who read these words, may you rise up now and go to your door.

Listen to the stillness on the midnight air.

Know that your king has come to earth and is calling you.

Know that he has come to set you free and that all authority has been given to him.

Know that he loves you.

Nothing else matters.

The child is all that matters.