Christian Reflection and Prayer

by
Ron Walters

"I love to tell the story. For those
who know it best seem hungering
and thirsting to hear it like the rest."

It was little ol' Bethlehem, but it was
big enough. The omnipresent God
had no problems fitting in. It was
quite a contrast trading the throne
room of heaven for a stable, angels
for cattle, hallelujahs for a lullaby.
Bethlehem had its share of visitors,
but never one like this. The prophets
had given the pieces of the puzzle,
but at first glance they didn't seem
to fit. The Alpha and Omega was
born. The Ancient of Days had the
skin of a newborn. The same voice
which spoke the creation into being
had the familiar ring of baby-talk.
A child was born of a virgin.

It was a typical Bethlehem night,
dinner was a memory, chores were
all done, parents were tucking in
their sleepy kids. The stars were out,
but nothing else. The weary town
had said "Good Night". It was a
night like any other, yet it was a
night the world will never forget.

It was a first. Never before had
The Eternal become so tiny, the
Almighty become so helpless.
He had out-muscled Pharaoh's
army, now he was held in Mary's
arms. The eyes that see the
beginning to the end, could hardly
open. The God who never slumbers
was now fast asleep. Everything was
perfect.

Angels were dispatched to spread
the word. First stop--a group of
shepherds. It was Good News! It
was Great Joy! It was just one
sentence, only one verse, 19 small
words, "For unto you is born this
day in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord." The
announcement needed no
explanation, only directions.
"You'll find the babe lying in
a manger." Finally the wait was
over. The Messiah had come.
Nothing else mattered, not the
late hour, not the restless sheep--
nothing. This was a birthday party
they couldn't miss. The announcement
became an invitation. This God-child
was accessible to lowly shepherds.
Fear was replaced by excitement,
doubts with hope.

One can only imagine the thoughts
of those shepherds as they found the
baby-king. There was no entourage,
no royal ceremony, no lights, music,
feasting. There was no need for those
things. They would have been out of
place. Nothing added could have
enhanced the wonder of God becoming
flesh. Some appearances don't need an
opening act.

There they were. Quiet, perhaps.
Motionless, no doubt. Wondering
"What now?" They must have thought
about Israel's future, or even the dreaded
Romans. Someone probably asked to
hold the baby. One confused shepherd
probably wished he had paid attention
in Sabbath School. Another may have
remembered the prophets words "For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son i
s given; and the government will be upon
His shoulders; and His name shall be
called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty
God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince
of Peace".

Did they see the irony? They had been
watching Bethlehem's sheep, yet now
they were beholding the Lamb of God.
For years they had supplied animals for
the annual sacrifice. But at this moment
God had supplied the eternal sacrifice for
the sins of the world. Their business was
in jeopardy but their salvation was secure.

They were all eye-witnesses. Every detail
was studied. Every word was memorized.
For years they must have told and retold
the accounts. Consequently the story has
been told to every generation.

Now it's our turn to tell and retell the story.
The story that never grows old.

"And when in scenes of glory I sing the new,
new song, 'twill be the old, old story that I
have loved so long".


Blessings,