“O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie. Above the deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” ~~O Little Town of Bethlehem
Phillip Brooks, an Episcopal priest, wrote those words to the well-known Christmas song after visiting Bethlehem in 1865. The organist at his church in Philadelphia added the music. I picture Phillip being overwhelmed with emotion as he visited the Savior’s birthplace in Israel.
My journey to the Holy Land in 2007 was not a normal vacation. I will forever be changed—as I should be. Christmas, of course, especially brings back the memories of being there. One of our excursions was to travel the six miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. We went through a security checkpoint at the entrance to Bethlehem. It made me sad that we had to go through a prison-like wall to get from the place where Jesus died to the place where He was born. An interesting feeling, for sure.
What a privilege that we were able to visit this holy city! At the time we were there, most tour groups were not allowed to go into Bethlehem because of the ongoing political issues and subsequent security. Our guide was an Israeli citizen, so she had to stay behind at the gate. Because our bus driver was Palestinian, he was allowed to take us past the wall.
We traveled through the narrow streets to the Church of the Nativity. Inside, we were led to the back of the church and down a narrow staircase. There we stood in a dark cave surrounded by low-hanging lanterns and gaudy decorations. I felt like the “trinket-ness” of the room invaded the significance of what I was standing before. And, yet—I could scarcely breathe. Mere words are not sufficient for how it felt to be there, in the spot thought to be where Jesus took His first breaths as a Man. It is one of my most treasured memories of the trip. You can read about Bethlehem (and other places in Israel) and see pictures at: http://www.seetheholyland.net/bethlehem/.
So, as Christmas is celebrated next week all over the world and in your home, turn your thoughts to the event that started it all. Think about the baby in the manger and what His birth means to you and to all people. He left all the glory of heaven to become an infant who would grow up and then die for all the sins of the world. He is the reason for season.
Christmas peace and blessings! Tammy
“And, the first time that You opened Your eyes did you realize that You would be my Savior? And, the first breath that left Your lips did You know that it would change this world forever?” ~~ “I Celebrate the Day” Relient K lyrics from their album: Let it Snow Baby Let it Reindeer Listen to it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsPFNY4Z5t0
©2012 Tammy Maseberg All Rights Reserved
