“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” (NIV) Luke 2:8

Friedrick Kekule was not the most brilliant of chemists but he was dedicated. Nevertheless the problem that occupied his mind would not yield to dedication. He could not figure out the structure of the benzene molecule. Another futile day had slipped away and the setting sun dragged another several hours over the horizon. Kekule fell asleep. In that misty state between sleep and wakefulness, something amazing happened: Kekule had a dream.

He called it a waking dream. In his waking dream Kekule saw a snake swallowing its tail and forming a ring. Upon waking, the meaning of the dream bolted through the door of his consciousness. Benzene, he realized, was shaped like a ring. This discovery-revelation marked the beginning of modern organic chemistry.

It is no accident that the Christmas story overflows with discovery-revelations that occur during the night. Joseph realizes through a dream that he should not divorce his pregnant wife. The Magi discern through a dream that they are not to make the return trip home via Herod. Joseph flees the anger of Herod under the inspiration of a dream and when he returns, the guidance of another dream leads him to settle in a different region with his vulnerable child. It was a nocturnal vision of angels penetrating the minds of drowsy shepherds that caused one to say to the others, “Let’s go to town!” The night renders the external world invisible and turns on the inner stars of discovery-revelation within our own souls.

People often talk about the need to slow down during Advent. The truth is that the sun goes down every evening and our bodies slow down soon afterward. During that time the stars of discovery-revelation shine within our own souls. During those starlit hours, we can often discern the pattern of God’s working in our lives. We gain insight. We find a way home to our better selves. We get clarity about the next great thing we must do.

Perhaps we would benefit by ceasing our endless mantra about the need to slow down and then steadfastly ignore. Listen for the voice that is already sounding. Tend to the stars in your own waking dreams and join the Magi in their journey toward something Magi-cal.

Have you every had a discovery-revelation occur to you in the night? Are you willing to share it?