Only the Silent
- Abbi
- Dec 23, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 2, 2023
Only the Silent
Only the silent
Hear the shouts of steeple bells
On the breeze.
Only the listening
Sense the gravity behind
Ancient, swelling melodies.
Only the open
See the sky explode
With the burning testimonies of galaxies.
Only the small
Can glimpse the Infant in the manger,
And understand that true greatness
Is found in the humblest of places.
Story Behind the Poem: I struggled to come up with something to share with you this week. I knew I wanted to write about Christmas, but the idea felt daunting. Christmas is such a weighty, glorious occasion - after all, it's Jesus' birthday. At the same time, most of us have heard the tale of the shepherds, angels, and the virgin birth countless times. I'm embarrassed to say that I often view the Christmas story with little to no sense of wonder.
As I was thinking and praying about what to write, I was brought back to the lowly way in which Christ entered the world. I think one reason why I'm often blind to the significance of this season is because Jesus moved through the simple. If we want to experience the true meaning of Christmas, perhaps we should practice slowing down. Breathing. Serving. Listening.
Here are two beautiful prophecies from Isaiah about the humble nature of the Messiah:
"Take a good look at my servant...I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life. He’ll set everything right among the nations. He won’t call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right. He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth. Far-flung ocean islands wait expectantly for his teaching.”
- Isaiah 42:1-4 (The Message Bible)
"There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down...he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed."
- Isaiah 53:2-5 (New Living Translation)
One final thing I wanted to acknowledge is my use of hyperbole in this poem (i.e., "Only the silent," "Only the listening," etc.). God can also speak to us when we're arrogant and distracted. However, I wanted to emphasize the importance of maintaining a posture of humility.
Again, I know you've probably heard this numerous times. However, I hope it hits you in a new way today. I don't know about you, but I find it so comforting to know that Jesus loves spending time with messy, hurting people. Have a wonderful Christmas!🎄✝✨
P.S. Here are a few Christmas songs/songs with Christmas themes that I've been listening to lately. Hope they bless you as much as they've blessed me!
Jesus of Nazareth by David Brymer
Is He Worthy? by Andrew Peterson
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee/Angels We Have Heard on High by Maverick City Music (feat. Majesty Rose)
Emmanuel (God With Us Forever) by Brian and Katie Torwalt
Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) by Leanna Crawford
Behold by Phil Wickham (featuring Anne Wilson)
Silence, listening, 0pen-heartedness, and humility are all things we experience from the Father before we model them. I love that when we discover the ways and character of God, we are rewarded with deeper truths and revelation.
As I was re-reading this, I found it so telling that this was a challenge to write because it's one of my favorites. As we know, in the friction, the most beautiful things are created. Sometimes greatness looks like an infant in a manger, and other times it appears in the form of a blog that few are privileged to read😉
I wasn’t able to read this until today, but its message really impacted me. God often speaks in a whisper, and in order to hear Him WE have to be quiet! Such a great reminder!
Abbi,
Hunter and I said yesterday we were not able to comment but here it is!
It's difficult to express my feelings about your writings because I don't have your gift
of words or talent. I am overwhelmed by how you express so much love for life and
Christ.
Only The Silent is profound but I think that about all your thoughts and how deep you
think. So you truly have a gift from God and your face is that of an angel. Your sweetness
for His love glows on your face. Your writings are a true gift of encouragement in a
sometimes very dark world. But I like you know our faith in Christ will prevail.
I love you…