When Words Run Out

I can’t say how much I like it in words

I received a card from my niece, thanking me for her birthday present:

‘I can’t say how much I like it in words.’

Life is full of words, isn’t it?

Spoken word, written word.

For those of us who are Hard of Hearing, spoken words can often lead to difficulty.

Did I understand that correctly?

Is it ok to ask them to repeat for the third time?

Why is everyone laughing? What did I miss?

How am I supposed to follow all these conversations at the same time?

Etc, etc

In Luke Chapter Two, telling the Shepherds about Jesus’ birth, God’s Angels did not

say;

‘Go and listen for Him.’

They did not say;

‘Ask a man in the street to tell you about Him.’

They did not mention anything to do with hearing at all.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a

manger.

Luke 2:12

A sign.

You will see.

You will find.

No need for words.

My niece couldn’t express her thanks in words, but she didn’t need to.

Because I had seen her face light up when she opened the gift.

This Christmas, may our words run out.

As we sing carols, and follow familiar Bible readings, may a renewed sense of

wonder cause the words in our hearts to run out.

May our hearts light up as we celebrate Immanuel, God with us, and may we echo

my niece:

I can’t say how much this means in words.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.

Isaiah 9:6

At a school recently, the children sang a song for me that they’d been practicing in

sign language.

It was beautiful.

Afterwards their teacher told me that the children had, for the first time, signed

without audibly singing.

They’d not used words.

Signing was enough.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a

manger.

Luke 2:12

A sign.

You will see.

You will find.

No need for words.

May we see Jesus this Christmas.

And may seeing cause our words to run out.

A Saviour has been born to you…He is Christ the Lord!

Luke 2:11