Dear friends,
How do you sleep at night?
Jamie and I were asked this last week, in reference not to a clear conscience but to choosing a new bed. Stumped by the bewildering choice of mattresses available, we were invited to have our sleep analysed by computer. This involved lying on a special ‘bed’ while sensors mapped our shape and pressure, displaying the results on the screen overhead. After 3 minutes the computer told us how firm a mattress we needed and named six for us to try out. It was, paradoxically, quite an eye-opener.
It made me think about the Christmas stories, and how much they involve people who are awake at unusual times. Tradition tells us Jesus was born at night, so we suppose Mary and Joseph didn’t get much sleep at the time. The shepherds very rarely got a good night’s sleep as they had to stay awake to guard their flocks; on the lookout for predators, they were awake to see the angel and became the first to hear the good news. The Magi studied their books during the day but had to be up at night to observe the stars, and so were well-placed to see and recognise the star of the new-born king.
There is something here about God being at work in the darkness, when few people are around; about God working in people who step outside the norms of society – away from home, working on the margins, or in a specialised pursuit.
Towards the end of his earthly life, Jesus was awake at night too, in the Garden of Gethsemane. For the first time that week he was away from the crowds; his disciples, despite his pleading, were unable to stay awake and watch with him. This time the light that appeared was not angel or star but the torches of those who had come to arrest him. God was at work here too, in the darkness, on the margins, even through death itself.
I’m not suggesting we should make ourselves stay physically awake. But perhaps during Advent we can be more alert to the everyday miracles of life; perhaps we might sometimes step out of our own comfort zones and be ready to meet God in new ways.
And if we find ourselves unable to get to sleep when we need to, perhaps we can offer our wakefulness to God in prayer. Whatever your plans are for Advent, Christmas and the New Year, I pray that you will be blessed with peace – and with a good night’s sleep.
Every blessing,
Sue
