July 5–Lit Sky over Bethlehem
When we visited Bethlehem, I was stuck by how much it resembled any town in the US where there is a long history of tourism. We passed the
“Manger Square Hotel”, “Shepherds Grocery”, “Holy land Hotel”, “Tree of Life” gifts, the “Shalom Hotel” and my favorite, “Stars and Bucks”. There are actually two churches that have built cathedrals over the place where It’s thought Jesus was actually born. But in the fields, where shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep, it relatively untouched.
When we think of shepherds, we have idolized them, I think. But actually those guys were pretty low on the social and economic scale. And the night shift, the lowliest of the low. Yet Therese are the very ones Jesus cared for so deeply. And how appropriate that the sky announcement would come to night shepherds.
When we stood looking over the fields of the shepherds, (which years before belonged to Boaz), it wasn’t hard to imagine what an amazing night that must have been. There is a cave near there that was one in which animals would have been sheltered—a manger. It’s much more realistic that Jesus was born in a cave than in some little wooden barn. When we had a lesson in the cave, the quiet and the closeness became very real.
Bethlehem, that means “House of God”, is about 25 percent Christian—about 10,000 of the 40,000. Since Bethlehem sits in Palestine, most Israelis cannot visit. Likewise, the Palestinians cannot visit the Holy City. We stopped in the shop of a Christian family who told us their shop can be traced back to the 16th century. They believe they were some of the original Christian Jews who never left. We were also surprised to learn that there are more than 3,500,000 Palestine Christians world wide. God will always have a people and He will always protect His church.
“And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee...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!”
Luke 2:4, 8-11 NLT
Father in Heaven thank you for such a miraculous night that changed the world with just one little baby. Because of that child, we can stand before you washed clean. The magnitude of that night is difficult to comprehend, but so easy to see in our minds. We will never know the cost that bought of freedom, but we can praise you and worship you for all time for it. What an amazing God you truly are! We love you and we bow before your throne today and ask for you to surround us, and keep us from the evil one. We pray that you would strengthen the sick and weak and touch them with your hand, because we know one touch from you and all can be made whole. Amen and amen.
Love you dear one,
Pam
PS Pictures of Bethlehem on FB
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