A Bethlehem Night

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“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth,  lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”” -- Luke 2: 8-14 (NLT)

Standing in the Shepherd’s Cave outside of Bethlehem, I was awestruck. This could have been the very spot the angels appeared to the shepherds proclaiming the Good News. The candles gently lighting the cave, feeling the coolness seeping out of the walls and the quiet reverence of our group made me whisper to our host, a Franciscan monk, “Can we sing?” He replied that it would be our gift to Him if we did.

Silent Night began to pour from my heart as we joined in this sacred carol. Tears rolled down my cheeks at the beauty of the moment, singing my favorite carol in this holy place. 

Later though, reading in Luke 2 again, I realized it probably was not a very silent night. The shepherds were terrified. There were bright lights and a whole army of angels in the sky broadcasting the Good News to the world. Part of their message was, “Do not be afraid.”

I must admit, if I saw an army of angels in the sky, saying “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth goodwill toward men,” I would want to sing Joy to the World, but I would be terrified. 

However, Jesus did not come to earth as a baby, grow into a man and a savior so He could scare us into Heaven. Instead, He came, as one of us, fully human, yet fully God, to invite us to a life with the Prince of Peace and an eternal home with Immanuel. He came to give us life more abundant. He came to offer freedom from a life enslaved to sin and this world. 

His human life on this earth was short. Mary, who gave birth to that sweet little baby boy, watched her son, who came to give life, be stripped of His in a horrific way. But she knew that this sacrifice was for the good of all humankind. 

Fortunately for us, He did not stay in the grave. He triumphed over death and rose again three days after the masses had cheered his crucifixion. His resurrection points us to a victory over our spiritual death and a new life, one with grace, forgiveness and hope.

I love Christmas time. I love to sing all the carols that point the lost world to Jesus. I love that it seems to be one time of year, we can, among all the falsehoods, proclaim Truth in the ‘public square’ or the Shepherd’s Cave.

I love that He came to heal the wounded hearts and promise hope to the hopeless. I love that the God of the Universe embedded in my heart a desire to have a relationship with Him. I love The Little Baby Jesus, The King of the Jews, and The Savior who has gone to prepare for me a place in Heaven. I love that He is my friend, comforter, and counselor. 

Question for Reflection:

Is He yours? If He isn’t, I encourage you today to invite Him into your life.  Ask Him for the peace He offers.  Ask Him for the healing you need. Give Him the gift of your heart today. 

For Further Reading: 

Isaiah 7, Isaiah 9, Micah 5, Luke 1-2, Psalm 103, John 10:10, Philippians 4:7, John 14