Thursday, December 24, 2020          (today’s lectionary)
Christmas Eve
In the dark nights shineth
David McCullough begins so simply … “I would like to tell you the story …” Accompanied by sweet strings, brass and hundreds of voices in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, his  voice was never so deep and inviting.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
McCullough is world famous for both his histories and his speeches. That night he remembered “shortly before Christmas, 1941,” when Winston Churchill crossed the Atlantic Ocean “at considerable personal risk” to meet with his friend and ally Franklin Roosevelt. Their plans to battle Hitler took a somewhat second seat to the American celebrations of our favorite holiday. On Christmas Eve they each spoke from the balcony of the White House to a crowd of 20,000. “A crescent moon hung overhead, while to the south loomed the Washington Monument, as the sun dipped behind the Virginia hills.”
The president pushed a button, the Christmas tree came to life, and when he spoke, “the world was listening.”
Our strongest weapon in this war is that conviction of the dignity and brotherhood of man, which Christmas Day signifies.
Churchill’s mother was an American, and he spoke after the president.
I cannot say I feel far from home. Here amid all the raging and roaring of war across the lands, we have tonight the peace of the spirit, in each cottage and every generous heart. Here then, for one night only, should be a brightly lighted island of happiness and peace.
At church on Christmas Day they sang together at church. “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.” Churchill had never before heard the song. “Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.” Perhaps that particular line meant more that year than ever.
By the following Christmas, American soldiers were stationed and fighting in 65 areas of the world. The authors of “The White Cliffs of Dover” turned their attention to the world’s soldiers and their families and wrote, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
The favors of the Lord I will sing forever, and through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
When Bing Crosby recorded it in 1943, it became by far the most popular holiday song of its time.
O Radiant Dawn, come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
As the choir sings these songs on this remarkable video, we watch black and white photos of soldiers and families, filled with living smiles. By now in our own 2020 world war against Covid-19, virtually all of those soldiers and families are passed away, but these photographs bring them back to life again.
Save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us. Remember your promise to show mercy to our fathers, and set us free to worship you without fear, all the days of our lives.
“Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents under the tree. I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” McCullough says, “History is human. It can be an aid to navigation, especially in dark and dangerous times. And the words and music we love that have stood the test of time mean still more when we know their story.”
As night falls on Christmas Eve and the sun dips below the Hill Country west of Austin, my heart strains with the melody of these songs and others, so many which also have “stood the test of time.” Knowing the story of Joseph and Mary and Jesus reminds me to remember my own story, and pray for the remembrance of those around me, and around you, and around the world.
We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, and guide our feet into the way of peace.
Come, Lord Jesus, lift up our hearts. We are yours.
(2 Samuel 7, Psalm 89, Luke 1)
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