A Walk Thru Bethlehem
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 NIV
This past Saturday, my 6 year old sang with the children’s choir from our church at a Walk Thru Bethlehem at another church here in town. This church did a phenomenal job portraying what life was possibly like when Jesus was born in the manger.
Following our church’s turn to sing to those waiting for the tour, a Jewish guide took us to the town of Bethlehem to be counted for the census and pay our taxes. We saw how the Roman soldiers that occupied the town treated the Jewish people. We saw how the Roman guards would steal food from the Jewish vendors in the marketplace. We saw how the tax collector unfairly charged our group taxes and watched him pay Caesar what was his, then keep the rest for himself. We saw how families lived in their homes. We saw the citizen’s allegiance to Caesar.
The walk portrayed the towns people gossiping about rumors of a baby born in a manger. Some were optimistic that this child could be the Messiah promised by the prophet Isaiah. Others simply mocked the idea and made fun of a baby being born of a virgin.
Then we saw the manger where Jesus was born. It was a beautiful scene with a real baby making sweet little baby noises. My friend leaned over to me and said, “It seems so real – our Lord actually made those little baby noises.”
Then we moved ahead into Christ’s ministry and saw the hill of Golgotha where three crosses stood, one with a blood covered cloth and a crown of thorns. And our Jewish guide took us to the empty tomb and shared the wonderful plan of salvation.
I, like many of you, have heard this story of the baby in a manger my whole life. The dramatization brought it to life and I was humbled by what I saw. When God sent His son to this earth to be the one who would save us from our sins, He sent him in the most humble form. I think about when my own children were born and the amount of stuff I had. Everything from a new crib to a box to keep the wipes warm. Mary had none of this. The baby who would be the king of the world was born in a manger with sheep and donkeys. No luxury linens. No cute outfit. Jesus was born into the most humble place – it almost seems improper for a king.
Then He died the same way. He gave His life for us in a humiliating way, being nailed to a cross was a degrading insult. Yet, He was born in a manger to die on a cross so that we could have eternal life in glory with the Father.
Honestly, the whole scene made me wonder about what ministry has become today. I see a lack of humbleness in mega ministries today that flaunt lavish lifestyles and tout millions in revenues. Some have private jets and many at their beckon call. Is that the precedence Jesus set when He was on this earth? He came with nothing and left nothing. I am saddened to see what a spectacle some ministries have become and can’t even imagine what the Father thinks when He sees all this done in His name. In ways, we have made a shame out of the humbleness Christ exhibited.
Here is my challenge to you; This Christmas – focus on what Jesus did for us when He was born in that dirty old manger. Remember that Christmas isn’t all about the birth but ultimately about the death He died and the fact that He was born to die so we could have life. Remember the humility of Christ as we finish up shopping and preparing for Christmas day. And above all, remember to be thankful to God for sending us Jesus through a virgin birth to give us the ultimate life in Him.
Dear Father, Thank you for the birth of Jesus in that manger. You sent Him into this world without pomp and circumstance. The whole world belongs to You and You could have brought Jesus into the world with the grandest of surroundings. But You didn’t. Thank you God that You sent us hope, hope in an eternal Christ who loves us and gave His life for us. Thank you for being born to die on the cross and for saving me from my sins. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Dana, I would rather rub shoulders in a small church with the likes of George Mueller, Andrew Murray and Charles Spurgeon then attend a mega-church and well, you know.
Dana,
ultimately about the death He died and the fact that He was born to die so we could have life….
Amen. This is a touching relfection. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Amen, so very lovely.
At the early age of 12 Jesus was aware who He was and the purpose of His life… He knew that He had come to do business for the Father… He knew at an early age that He had come to die. What a man….. what a God…. what a saviour.
….And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? Luke 2:49
I recently won one of these blog give-a-ways and the book that I choose was Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney.
Jesus was the teacher of Humility……… I want to know more…