Bethlehem

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel. Matthew 2:6

The child, who was born in the little village of Bethlehem and remained there for nearly two years before fleeing to Egypt to avoid the wrath of Herod, is still un-welcome in the city. In 2007 the city is separated from Jerusalem and Christendom by massive concrete walls and armed soldiers. “Manger Square,” where for years Christian choirs from all over the world sang the beautiful carols of Christmas, is silent except for the raucous noise of peddlers hawking their wares on dirty streets.

Weary pilgrims stand in pushing, shoving herds attempting to enter a tiny cave-like grotto where some would believe the child was born. There is no quiet reflection, no sharing of llove and peace, no joy of God’s family gathered to honor the possible birthplace. There is little there that would remind one of the message, the mission, the Master.

It would, rather, remind one perhaps of the days of Herod some five to three years B.C. He was determined to find this child, and no cost was too great to pay to eliminate him from the face of the Earth. Heaven only knows how many families lost their sons when he sent his soldiers to massacre all males less than two years of age.

The current controlling authorities want to suppress the Good News. They are under the mistaken impression that if enough people can be rallied and aligned behind their misguided zeal, the message of Christmas will be obliterated. They are foolish enough to believe that their “leadership” will overpower and usurp the leadership of the one born in that obscure village some 2000 years ago.

It was not long before the butcher who brought such “weeping and great mourning” to Judea was dead. The child born in the deprivation of a stable, without fanfare, and the accoutrements of a king, is Almighty God, King of Kings, LORD of Heaven and Earth.

While the carols will not rise from Heavenly voices in the metropolis that is now Bethlehem, the song cannot be stopped. No might or power, established by any kingdom, or nation, or religion, can still the sound of His coming. The angel voices proclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. The Lord reigns forever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
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