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DECEMBER 2011

 

Bethlehem – a place of coming and going.

 

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. (Luke 2)

 

A lot of attention was suddenly focused on the small town of Bethlehem.  Jews from many parts of the world came to be counted in a census.  Mary and Joseph travelled there from Nazareth.  Shepherds came from the fields to see the Baby lying in a manger after multitudes of the heavenly host had come to announce ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men on whom his favour rests.’ (Luke 2)

 

Every Christmas we have an opportunity in our minds to go to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  There, we have time to wonder anew at the magnitude of God’s love for us in the incarnation of Christ.  In Bethlehem we can worship as the shepherds did all those centuries ago.  But we cannot stay in Bethlehem we must leave.  The angels returned to heaven and Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem and then later to safety in Egypt.  The shepherd’s too left the stable after meeting Jesus.  But their exit gives us a very clear lesson.  After worshipping the Christ, they left the stable and told everyone about the holy Child.  ‘All all those who heard it marvelled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.’ (Luke 2 v.18)

 

It is appropriate for us to do the same, to worship and then go out and proclaim.  Micah prophesied that from Bethlehem would go out a Ruler, who had come to save mankind from sin (Micah 5:2).  This Christmas, let us join those who have gone forth from their visits to Bethlehem to proclaim the good news of Christ, who came to save us. 

 

Go tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere,

Go tell it on the mountain,

Our Jesus Christ is born.

 

 

Rev David Irvine

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