Every year at Christmas time, in towns all over America, people “journey to Bethlehem.” A lot of work goes into these recreations and some of the sets are quite elaborate. At Auburn Adventist Academy they’ve actually built a permanent walled town, just for this event!
I’ve been to several of these events. As you walk through Bethlehem’s gates it feels like you’ve stepped back in time. Merchants hawk their wares, camels calmly chew their cud and sheep “baah!” as you walk by. Stern-faced Roman soldiers roughly keep the crowd moving and tax collectors scheme to take your funds (I guess not much has changed in 2000 years!).
Each “Journey to Bethlehem” is different, but one thing never changes. As we approach the stable and see the babe in the manger, a hush falls over the crowd. This is what we’ve been looking for, this is what we seek – innocence, peace, hope – all wrapped up in a little child on a bed of hay.
This Christmas, even if you can’t get to one the recreations, journey to Bethlehem in your heart. For just a moment, step aside from the bustle and noise. Ignore the merchants hawking their wares. Don’t let the politician’s rhetoric steal your peace or worries about money rob you of hope. Don’t let the busyness of the season blind you to the reason for the season – Jesus Christ!
On this last Sabbath before Christmas, together “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15 NIV) Let’s go with haste and find “the Babe lying in a manger.” (v. 16) Let’s kneel and worship he who is born Christ, the Lord.
As we, in our mind’s eye, gaze once again on the Jesus’ beautiful face, may His peace steal into our souls and His love fill our hearts. As we hear the angels sing, let’s join their anthem of praise, singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Our journey, however, does not end at the manger. Luke 2:17 says the shepherds, “When they had seen him, they spread the word…” As we leave Bethlehem, our spirits restored and our hopes renewed, let’s do the same. Let’s spread the news wherever we go, inviting everyone we meet, “Come and see! We’ve found the King!”
God bless and Happy Sabbath!