O Holy Night, Afternoon, and Morning

O Holy Night is a popular Christmas song, and it is one of my favorites. Mariah Carey's version can be heard echoing through my home this time of year. This song, as well as the Christmas season, focuses on Jesus’ birth.

There are no Biblical records, or any other records stating that Jesus was born in December, but I will not argue with Christ being celebrated this time, or any time of the year.

The very fact that He was born of the flesh means God set in motion His divine plan to save the world through His death. For Him to be born, was the start of something new. The world had long lay in sin and error, pining for a Savior. He was born to die, to save mankind.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

This plan was laid out long before Jesus' physical, fleshly birth on earth. This was the plan from the start, after the fall of man in the garden, God loved us so much that He wanted to make a way for us to still be with Him, despite our sins.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. Ephesians 1:3-4

Isaiah prophesied of this event hundreds of years before it was put into place.

Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him." was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him and by His scourging we are healed." Isaiah 53:1-5

The greatest plan ever made was foretold many years ago through a prophet who would never see the day come, but I'm sure he had faith in the One who could deliver this plan, and it came just as he said.

Before this death could occur, the birth of our dear Savior had to come for the soul to feel it's worth.

The announcement came not to kings sitting high upon their thrones, nor those in great authority or of great worth and honor in this world. No, the first noel, the good news of Christ's birth, came to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay keeping their sheep.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:10-14

Hark, the Harold angels sang, "Glory to God, glory in the highest."

The plan was set, the child is born, the child grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

Jesus began His ministry and making known that He was the Christ over thirty years after His birth. He was born to die. He knew the plan. He was in agony of the thought of death, as any human would be, but when He saw all that was accomplished by His anguish, He was satisfied.

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:10-11

When this day had come, we do know the hour. We know the exact time of day that Jesus died, because it is recorded for us in all four gospels. There's no dispute if it was night or day, this was one fateful, agonizing, yet glorious afternoon.

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. t about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. 49 But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. Matthew 27:45-50

O Holy Afternoon indeed, for it is Christ’s death that makes us holy once we believe in Him and put on Christ in the waters of baptism.

John records in His gospel that after Jesus drank the sour wine, He said,” ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” John 19:30

Jesus saying this indicates there was a plan put into place, even before his earthly birth, and at His death the plan is finished. A holy plan to save mankind from their sins. The day or time of his birth, we do not know, yet do know what hour he died to save this weary world that lay in sin and error. Solomon writes the day of one's death is better than his birth, and in Jesus' case, and those who are in Christ, this could not be truer.

Yet, in my humble opinion, I say celebrate the day or night of our dear Savior's birth. Celebrate that holy night, afternoon or morning, because Christ's birth led to His death, which led to a new hope, a thrill of hope so a weary world can rejoice, a new light, and a new and glorious morn.