Bethlehem

A few nights ago we were blessed to take in a local Christmas outreach at a church in the West end of Edmonton.  It was called "Bethlehem Walk" and other than being notified that our local homeschooling group was organizing a field trip to attend, and a few comments in a local newspaper article, I had no idea of what to expect.  I planned the trip without telling my family where we were going and just told them all to trust Mommy.  On arrival we were ushered into a line to await admittance while being entertained by various choir groups.  The first number was an energetic youth ensemble innocently and joyfully affirming their desire to "go back" to the original Christmas for the meaning of the season.  From there we were welcomed by a well dressed lad who gave us the "rules" and instructions of our journey through the presentation.  He then proceeded to direct our attention to a short film to further bring our minds to what the real focus of Christmas should be.  It was a quiet poignant display of how Christmas has become a mass of busy, commercial and worldly hubbub of wasteful spending of time, energy and money starring the famous jolly rotund fellow.  Piercing the air in the darkened room with visions of the yuletide festivities on the screen, was a newborn baby's cry.  Everything faded and the room became silent save the pleading cry drawing our attention to what the real reason for celebrating is.  Christ the newborn KING's arrival to the earth to begin the journey of our redemption!  We were ready for our trip through Bethlehem!   The doors were opened and we entered another area,  beckoned by Jewish shepherds watching their live sheep.  The scene was set and as we watched overhead there boomed an angels' voice of good tidings and a sweet song of wonder sung by several suspended angels encouraging us to REJOICE!  For unto us was born that day, in the city of David, a SAVIOUR, which was Christ the Lord.  From there we wandered through the darkened streets of Bethlehem sampling breads, observing potters,candle makers, olive presses, fishmongers,  basket weavers and spice merchants, to name only a few.  We even encountered an innkeeper who declared he had no room.  I was expecting a grand entrance to the stable, as that was where we would find the baby, the obvious reason for all the hard work of their presentation.  We filed through hallways and into a covered,  stalled, barn-like enclosure and with no grandeur. Only live cows, a donkey and a myriad of small animals.  In a small area among the hay sat a sweet couple quietly holding and admiring a healthy, crimson cheeked baby, asleep and swaddled in its mother's arms.   The line passed through quickly, and was rushed into the cold, wintery night air to another building and entered a beautiful sanctuary where we were served cookies and hot chocolate and entertained with more choirs and lively Christmas music.  It was almost anticlimactic. Was that it?  That was the manger scene?  Nothing fancy, just a passing glance?  Upon further reflection and discussion, we concluded that was the point!  The humble birth of the SAVIOUR of the world, was seemingly so insignificant, nondiscript and unremarkable but yet so vital!  How could I ever forget this scene and how we so easily get distracted from what we celebrate every year around the dressed trees, wrapped gifts, food, family, Santa and candycanes!  May I never stop hearing that infant's small cry or the humble fulfillment of the promise of our Saviour come to earth to begin the journey that would result in the payment of our sin debt and ultimately our Salvation from eternity in Hell!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" Luke 2:11