A voice cries out: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all the people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
This carol reminds me that we should pause and take a moment to pay attention to the important things in front of us. The first verse, directed toward the angels, calls them to go around the world announcing the birth of the infant Lord. The birth of a baby is always an important thing, but in this case, it’s the birth of the Son of God. It’s important enough to send angels out to announce it —so it has to be important enough for us to stop and pay attention.
Verse 2 is directed to the shepherds, working overnight in the fields tending their flocks. Work can be all consuming. It can be easy to get lost in all the tasks that are in front of us. They are important to do, but when a baby arrives, we have to stop working and direct our attention to the new life.
Verse 3 speaks to sages lost in contemplation. Few of us are sages but we also get lost in our thoughts and worries. We have so many touch points for information, whether it’s politics or celebrity gossip or sports scores, that can consume our thoughts and even our emotions as we process them. The birth of a baby makes us put these things aside. We are consumed with wonder and love, and we forget the things we’ve been fretting over.
How much more true in the case of Jesus Christ, fully human and also fully God. This is the time to turn our attention toward the most important things and prepare for the birth of our Savior.
Contributed by Rosie Haden Chomphosy