"Bearing the Word"

Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45

An account was given two thousand years ago, by a Greek doctor named Luke, that told of an event that would change the fabric of humankind in years to come.

Luke wrote "And so it happened that Joseph went from the town of Nazareth to register himself with Mary, his betrothed, who was pregnant. And why they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. Mary gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn."

Two thousand years later, another account was given, over the news services and shortwave radio, despatched from Bethlehem, on Dec. 25th, shortly after Israel had occupied the West Bank of the Jordan during the six-day war of 1973:

"Shepherds watched their flocks by night and armed Israeli troops patrolled the hills around Bethlehem today as Christmas came to the town where Jesus was born. Israelite security forces kept a night watch over the hilltop town in case of Arab guerilla sabotage as Christmas began with midnight mass in the incense-laden grotto, where tradition says the manger of Jesus lay on the first Christmas. Bells pealed from the crusader-built Church of the Nativity and Christmas reached a climax with a Roman Catholic pontifical high mass . . . Outside, Arab Christians from Bethlehem and the few foreign tourists who defied Middle East tension to come to the Holy Land, watched the proceedings on a giant television screen affixed to the wall of Bethlehem's police station . . ."

Bethlehem: The name rings down through the centuries. Mention its name and automatically Christian and non-Christian alike conjure up images of Joseph and Mary on a donkey searching from inn to inn for a place to rest. Shepherds watching their flocks by night. A star leading astrologers from the east to a manger in a cattle stall. Herod slaughtering babies in their mothers' arms. Augustus Caesar enrolling all of Judea and the Roman world in a census.

Ancient Bethlehem was a bustling crossroads for commercial caravans. After dwindling to a handful in inhabitants in the 16th century, modern Bethlehem has become a thriving tourist center. Hardly a day passes without busses unloading tourists at the door of the oldest, active church in Christendom.

St. Jerome reports that in 135 AD the Emperor Hadrian desecrated the cave in which Jesus was believe to have been born. Over the spot, he placed a pagan shrine. Ironically, this shrine helped to mark the locality of Christ's birth, so that two centuries later Constantine could erect Christian Church over the site.

Around 550 AD, the Emperor Justinian enlarged the Church of the Nativity. It still stands today. Thus it happened that Jesus, who later called Himself the "Bread of Life" was to be Born in Bethlehem, which means "the House of Bread".

Bethlehem's importance to the world's salvation was foretold by the prophets. Micah once proclaimed "Bethlehem, House of Bread, Village of Ephratha , you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you will I bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times."

Someone once said that "Bethlehem is any time and place on life's journey where and when songs of praise to God are sung."

Isn't this true? Each time children and grownups re-enact scenes from the Nativity. Each time a Christmas carol is sung.

One such Christmas Carol goes like this:

"O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there, And of the news that came to them from angels in the air: The light that shone on Bethlehem fills all the world today; Of Jesus' birth and peace on earth the angels sing always."

As we travel along life's journey it is essential for us to return again and again to Bethlehem to renew our commitment to the Lord. We do this through joyously singing the praises of God. And joining with other Christians in worship. Sometimes we'll find it difficult, like pilgrims in Bethlehem of recent years, trying to worship amidst Israeli machine gun positions. When friends or relatives descend upon us at holiday time, and their interests don't revolved around church, we feel obliged to stay home.

Then there's Christmas Eve when we come to church and sometimes wonder if we should have been home instead tending to our guests and to Christmas presents. Yet, worship is there as an essential activity, and God-given opportunity to show the WORTH-ship of God. We're called, then, not to go through the motions of an order of service. But rather to give SERVICE in prayer and praise to the One who upon His birth in Bethlehem marked the beginning of Humanity's salvation and redemption

Perhaps instead of leaving our guests or family at home on Christmas Eve, we should invite them along? - It may be their first opportunity in a long time to worship God. Even more so, to invite a neighbor or friend who has never attended. And show to them in word and deed, that our God is the God and Father and Lord of all people everywhere, no matter who or what they are.

Bethlehem, is any time and place on life's journey where and when songs of praise to God are sung.

We come to church to worship. But need we be in a church building alone to demonstrate the WORTH-ship of God in our lives? To give service to God and witness to His power, we must do so also through the things we do and say each day. Paul once said 'Surely you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" Thus every moment in our lives, whether at work or play, is a worshiping moment. Isn't it true then, that whenever and wherever we show forth the love of God for others to see, we find ourselves in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem, then, is any time and place on life's journey where and when songs of praise to God are sung.

In our lives or in the lives of other people when unexpected stars, bright ideas and insights, send us on significant spiritual journeys of heart and mind, we find ourselves again in Bethlehem.

Picture the joy that Mary and Elizabeth felt upon meeting each other: two cousins, one older, one younger, both with child. Luke tells us that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, "You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child in your womb! How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will some true! And this is why my baby within has leapt for joy!"

God was doing something strange and wonderful for Zechariah and Elizabeth, by giving them in their old age a baby who would become the prophet for all time: John the Baptist. God was doing something strange and wonderful for Mary, by recalling for her the fulfilment of His promises. How she would be blessed for bringing into this world its Savior. How His mercy shown to all faithful people from generation to generation would be shown once and for all through the life and ministry of One to be born as a babe in Bethlehem.

Whenever a passage of Scripture comes alive for the first time, whenever we gain a new insight into the nature of His will for us, whenever we discover His forgiveness, whenever His love and reality is revealed to us once again, we find ourselves again in Bethlehem.

In times of worship, in the activity and service of our daily lives, in moments of inspiration and understanding, we return to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem is ANY time and ANY place on life's journey where and when songs of praise to God are sung.

This thought is driven home to us even more so by remembering the star of Bethlehem and the words of St. John: "In Him was life, and that life was the Light of all humankind. The light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never quenched it."

There are times in our life's journey when darkness seems to have put out the spark of life within us. This life which comes from Christ. Often it's been the death of a loved one, the illness of a dear friend, the loss of a job, a marital break-up, the rebellion of a child, the cruelty and crime of adults ... these have caused us to wonder if the goodness and love, the light of Christ, will ever shine through.

Yet, we've learned by life's experience that somehow, someway it does. And so it seems to me that we have arrived at Bethlehem when we begin to realize that Light is indeed available: a light that is not our own, that can scatter our awful feelings of loneliness and helplessness and break into the dark corners of our lives. A Light that reflects "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Wouldn't it be true to say, that Christ was not the light of Bethlehem alone, but also, as the Gospel of John says, the light of the world. And this light casts out darkness, not only in our world but also within ourselves. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians pleads with us: "I ask that your minds may be opened to see His light, so that you will know what is the hope to which He has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings, He promises His people!"

Bethlehem is any place ... any time ... on life's journey where and when songs of praise to God are sung.

Perhaps even most so in the giving of gifts. We know what joy it is to give and receive gifts. Such as when a child opens a present at the foot of a Christmas tree. When food is given to a hungry soul at a City Mission. When charity is offered in our community to those in desperate need. When through gifts given enable impoverished people in countries and societies in other parts of the world, to eat again, be clothed again, become healthy again, perhaps even for the first time. Or when ideas are shaped, enthusiasm communicated, and the gifts of friendship, sympathy and appreciation are expressed, we are in Bethlehem.

Even more so when spiritual gifts, such as a new language of prayer, a new understanding of Scripture, the gift of compassion and care, the gift of wisdom and speech, the gift of service and mission, or the fruit of love, joy peace, patience and so forth are given to us ... and given out from us ... then we are in Bethlehem.

Even more so, when we realize the grace freely bestowed on us, through God's gift of His dear son.

Bethlehem thus becomes all the moments in our lives when the challenge of the manger child grown to adulthood is heard and responded to. Christ, beyond all others, lived on the growing edge of humanity's moral and spiritual experience.

Because of this He continually beckons us onward, inviting us to live with Him in love and hope and trust. Challenging us to pass through the world of affirmation, not denial. In faith, not doubt. In integrity and responsive sensitivity to others and to their needs. And when this gift of Christ is given to us, received by us, and bestowed by us to others ... then Bethlehem becomes that any time, that any place on life's journey.

Luke tells us that Mary treasured many moments in her life. Precious moments centred around the gift of God to her in Jesus her son. That gift, she know, would have to be shared. And she was joyous ... she sang out: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoiced in God my Savior, for He has regarded my low estate, He who is mighty has done great things for me, and His mercy remains with all those who honor Him from generation to generation."

O what a gift, what a wonderful gift! ... That gift given to the world at Bethlehem!

As we prepare to celebrate again the joy of Christmas, let us prepare ourselves for yet another visit to the manger in the stable.

In worship, in our lives, in our inspiration, in our understanding, in our giving and our receiving: Let Bethlehem be that time and place, in the here and now of your life's journey, where songs of praise to God are sung.

Amen.