Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem

October 2022 Bethlehem Square, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel, taken by Bruce Cunningham during our Educational Opportunities Holy Land Tour

 This is going to be a Christmas like no other.  The town of Bethlehem is now dark and a surreal quiet fall on her streets as the announcement of very little Christmas celebrations will take place.  This has never been contemplated before in many minds.  But has it? 

October 2022 Bethlehem Square, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel, taken by Bruce Cunningham during our Educational Opportunities Holy Land Tour

The Roman Hadrian ventured to destroy all of Christianity by converting the site into Greek god temples.  Numerous Muslim invasions have destroyed and attempted to wash the city of its history of saintliness.   During the 1948 Arab Israeli war, Bethlehem became a refugee city for Christians. During the days of the Intifadas the city went under the control of the PLO and was limited in her Christian activities.  It is only in the last 15 years has pilgrims have been able to visit this historically Holy city once again.  Of course, this is a very simple history, however, it comes to remind us of the celebration of Christmas is not dependent on circumstances or world events. 

October 2022 Shepherds Field, Bethlehem, Israel, taken by Bruce Cunningham during our Educational Opportunities Holy Land Tour

The celebration of Our Holy Savior is only dependent on our own attitudes and reflections of the gift God gave us of His Son Jesus.  It was on the perfect timing, specific place, and promised covenant did God relegate authority to a Baby who would live among His people and give His life in substitution for our evil and sinful lives.  It was during the evil Roman Empire did Jesus come to be born.  It was during the evil reigns and wars in the name of “god” did the Muslims, Crusaders and various other groups attempt to liberate this Holy City.    

October 2022 Bethlehem Square, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel, taken by Bruce Cunningham during our Educational Opportunities Holy Land Tour

My point?  I urge, no I besiege us, to not forget whom this season was first remembered for.  It was the gift of a God Child; the faithful struggle of human parents; and the love of our Father who made this night special for all generations.  The night may be dark, the streets may be silent, but our Savior still lives, and we can still celebrate the gift of this Child. 

October 2022 Bethlehem Square, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel, taken by Heath Dawson during our Educational Opportunities Holy Land Tour

Let us show our worship and love in response to this gift by praying for God to once again show His power and mighty hand over our world.  For our Father to show himself once again in the middle of chaos by bringing peace to his Holy Land.  We pray for all the peoples of the world to turn to the Heavens and remember the Creator who is still in control.  A Father, who is patient and loving, is waiting for His children to turn their faces back once again to Him.  

October 2022 Bethlehem Square, Church of St. Catherine, St. George killing the dragon satan Bethlehem, Israel, taken by Bruce Cunningham during our Educational Opportunities Holy Land Tour