Bright Star of Bethlehem

“…Fear no more!  I am announcing to you good news that will be a great joy for all the people.  Today in the City of David a Savior was born for you.  He is Lord Messiah..."  — Luke 2:10-11

If you’ve ever been to Washington D.C., maybe you’ve felt a shiver down your spine as you walk surrounded by marble memorials to veterans and presidents, or experienced the solemn majesty of standing in the shadow of the Capitol dome or the Washington monument, or gazed across the lawn at the pillars of the White House, awed by the history that still happens there.  The buildings and statues there call attention to great happenings and larger-than-life personalities, personages who guided and governed and fought for our nation.  The imposing stature of those edifices testify to the greatness of the ones they are dedicated to, and to the immensity of this great project of democracy and freedom in which we all take part.

What a contrast it all makes to the “little town of Bethlehem," the City of David where Christ was born.  Our Lord and mighty Savior, the King of Kings and Prince of Peace was born in an out of the way place, far from the halls and palaces of worldly power.  Bethlehem had no fortress or battlements, no walls or watchtowers.  It was a peaceful place of farms and fields of sheep.  Bethlehem had an important place.  It was where Jacob’s wife Rachel had died on a journey through the territory.  Her burial place had been revered for centuries.  It was where Jesse’s family settled, and where his youngest son David had been  singled out as Judah’s king and anointed by the prophet Samuel.  And when Jesus was born, it was the place where David’s descendants were to come and register for the Roman census.

And so it was that history’s grandest figure was born in this quiet crossroad town, a place whose historical importance was hushed and hidden, but could be uncovered and revealed by those who knew where to look.  For those who remembered the words of the prophets, the promises of God were not secrets.  For those who searched the scriptures and found Micah’s prediction that “from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient of days…” (Micah 5:2) there was a hope and expectation that God could bring his mighty Messiah among us, even from a small and nearly forgotten backwater town.

 

So here’s to our God who doesn’t forget the ancient promises, whose hope lives on even when ours has died.  Here’s to a Savior who became born for us, whose advent into this world came without trumpets or monuments, but was heralded instead by angel choirs and choruses of cows, donkeys and common shepherds.  He has not left us here alone, but has come among us with flesh and blood, born a baby to grow and live with us, and then to die for us, and then again to live so that we too may be carried through the gates of his Kingdom.  Here’s to a time that has nothing to do, really, with shopping and holiday specials, and everything to do with beauty and love and the restoration of our world.  Here’s to a place that was not too lowly or unimportant for the Lord of the Universe to choose for his entrance into our world.

This Advent season, our worship celebrates that little town, and the “Bright Star of Bethlehem” who came from there to bring peace to all the earth and good will to humankind.  Come join us as we prepare our souls to receive our King.  Come sing, give thanks, and open your hearts as we hear and live the story and share his love with our family, friends and neighbors. 

 

Peace,

Pastor Scott