"The hopes and fears of all the days and all the years are met in You, O Holy Child, for us right here, this Holy Night."  
- "The Night Is Silent" by Andrea C. Hunter and Stephanie Samuel

Sometimes in the midst of your life, you're required to take a trip to Bethlehem. It seems like the powers around you are forcing this journey: The Domination system. In this case, Caesar and his armies are making you travel, and not first class, to be registered so they won't miss your presence, not because you are valued, but because your taxes are needed. It's cold and rough, it is more than uncomfortable, and when you get there, you're sent to what is basically a homeless shelter...a barn, full of straw and animals and, yes, manure.

But God's secret Light is shining, and those who see and know follow. Caesar is inadvertently cooperating with a larger plan: a plan to free you and all of mankind, to give you and each person the opportunity to escape sin and death and enter into eternal life. It doesn't come with a band and glorious parade, but with the lowing of animals and the cry of a tiny infant piercing the night. It's a new beginning, the beginning of the end of death. Life shines from this humble shelter. Wise men bring extravagant gifts. And in the midst of trials, there is the promise of the more of God--the secret Light that bids you to invite Jesus into the manger of your heart, to let Him decorate it with His radiant beauty. Herod misses the light; it is a secret for him. Satan misses the light. They are asleep. They have a mistaken idea of how God delivers and reveals himself.  But you will see it.

If you're finding yourself in the middle of a journey that isn't what you expected, if the accommodations or relationships or work situation is poor and you can't understand after saying "yes" to God, as Mary and Joseph did, why things seem to be worse rather than better. If you've lost a loved one, or misplaced a dream, know that God's plan to give you a future and a hope is still in place, that the Father of Lights still brings Magi to give good gifts in your life, not when you've moved to the palace, but right where you are in the barn. He sends His angels to serenade you with good tidings and say "peace to you of good will." He sends His Spirit to comfort you. God still supplies all your needs according to His riches in glory. Jesus lives in and through you and offers love, peace, and joy in abundance. Your worst fear and greatest hopes are met in Him, now and forever.

DEAR FATHER: Thank You for the great sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to cling to but emptied Himself," and came to dwell with us in the flesh as a fragile infant. Thank You for sending the true Light into a world of darkness. I offer all of my life to You. Help me to see Your larger plan even when my life is difficult.... Help me to say, "It is well with my soul," whether I'm brought low or raised up. Help me to not miss Your life and light by dictating to You how I should be delivered. Rather, may I trust and rest in Your amazing love, knowing that you lead me and feed me in the shadows and the sun. And nothing or no one can stop Your good plan for my life. Amen.