Bethlehem

As a child, my grandma taught me the words to the song “Away in a Manger,” and this is still my favorite carol. Its sweet simplicity transports me to the stable where Jesus, Emmanuel, was born. The second chapter from the Gospel of Luke is my favorite passage in the Bible. When I was in the third grade, I had the privilege of narrating and reading these verses in the church Christmas pageant. Onstage children were dressed as sheep and goats, as shepherds and angels, as Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus. I was quite happy with my place on the sidelines reading this joyously hope-filled passage of the Christmas Story.

(Way back in 1976, I wrote the words to “Away in a Manger.” Apparently, I didn’t like the way my first star drawing came out.)

Before I continue with my story, I’ve included the Scriptures here:

Luke 2:1-20, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Angels, shepherds, peace on earth, good news, great joy, a manger, baby Jesus. These Scriptures captured my heart and inspired my child-like faith. And they continue even to this day.

Imagine my delight when years later, in the Fall of 2019, I made the pilgrimage to Israel. Our group traveled the small but extraordinary country, exploring from the south to the north, visiting all the most famous biblical sites. We spent a morning in Nazareth where the angel told Mary she would give birth to a son. Out of all the places we visited, Bethlehem was my favorite. “Away in a Manger” and Luke chapter two came to life in a palpable way.

Nowadays Bethlehem is a bustling town, divided into distinct political and religious zones. Mosques stand alongside churches, and from the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity you can hear the Muslim call to prayer. There are busy shops and restaurants just outside the door. Once inside the Church though, all outside noise falls away and busyness ceases. Overcome by the moment you realize you are standing in the place where the little Lord Jesus took His very first breath—and suddenly you are breathless.

While in Bethlehem, our group also had the opportunity to visit the nearby hillside where the humble shepherds kept watch over their flock by night. I looked up into the same sky where the angel appeared, and the heavenly hosts sang praises. Seeing the place where my favorite Bible story transpired centuries ago, brought tears to my eyes as I reflected on that quiet star-filled night—the night when the angels sang out with Good News of great joy for all mankind from their stage in the heavens. We looked out over the fields where the sheep would have grazed, and the shepherds tended the sacrificial lambs. We climbed down into the caves where the shepherds had taken refuge. Our tour guide said that as a child he and his friends often played in this location and hid in these very caves. History at our fingertips, and under our very feet, had come to life right before our eyes as we heard the story told on the exact site where it occurred.

Two thousand years after the miraculous events in Bethlehem transpired, our small flock of sojourners entered the glorious little church called, “Church of the Shepherds,” which stands as a lasting testimony atop this location. The walls of the room bore paintings depicting the scenes from the Bible, evoking a reverent and peaceful atmosphere. Something wondrous happened: we all came together and quietly sang “Silent Night,” in the town where love descended from Heaven. (the video is included below)

The distance between these two Holy sites, of Jesus’ birth and the fields of the first proclamation, is approximately two miles. The shepherds didn’t have too far to run to meet their long-awaited Savior.

O holy night! Like Mary, I treasured and pondered and soaked it all in.

My heart was content, and my spirit was happy. This is what Christmas is truly about! God sent His Son to redeem mankind, with a love so great I can hardly fathom.

Dear Lord, help me keep the spirit of Bethlehem alive in my heart. Amen.

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” Luke 2:15 NIV

Lord, use me to share the miraculous hope of Bethlehem with others. Amen.

(This story is adapted from my Bible study, “Matthew: Your Kingdom Come.”)