While You Were Sleeping

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A star hung over Bethlehem. The angel announced the birth of a King. A heavenly host sang praises in the night sky. Most of the people slept through the night that changed history. Jesus left glory in heaven to make His dwelling with people, but the people He came to save slept. They didn’t make room for Him. A whole city with no room for Jesus. So He was born in a stable out back.

A night sky with a supernaturally bright star and filled with angels. Who noticed? Those who were not sleeping. The shepherds tending their flocks by night. They saw the star and the angel and the heavenly host. They returned to Bethlehem as the angel directed, and they found Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. They fell down on their knees and worshiped the newborn Savior (Luke 2:8-13).

While America Sleeps

God has been with us since the beginning of time. Jesus came to Bethlehem and lived among men for thirty-three years. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, made the lame walk and the blind see. He drove out demons and taught people how to live. These things are recorded in the Bible so we can believe and live forever with Him (John 3:16). Yet, many in America are like those in Bethlehem. They have not given Jesus room in their lives. They have made up their own rules how they should live – save the trees and kill the children. Will another supernaturally silent night come? When Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised He would return for those who love Him. Will we be sleeping?

Prayer

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Jesus. Thank you for creating us and saving our souls from sin and destruction. Help us to be watchful while we wait for that day when you return. And while we wait, make us beacons of your light and love in this world so more people will experience your amazing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bethlehem

Church of the Nativity

The Little Town of Bethlehem is not so little. It is bustling with citizens and tourists any time of the day. The Hebrew meaning of Bethlehem is “house of bread,” which gives meaning to Jesus’ words, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), since this is the place of His birth. Only 2% of 30,000 people who live in Bethlehem are Christians.

Bethlehem carries more history than any place in the Holy Lands: Jacob buried his wife, Rachel, here. It is the home of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, who became the grandparents of King David. This was David’s home. Samuel anointed David to be king here in the midst of his brothers. However, the event that changed the course of history was the birth of Jesus (Luke 2), fulfillment of prophesy: “But you, Bethlehem Ephratha, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2).

Angels, shepherds and wise men visited Mary, Joseph and Jesus in Bethlehem. The wise men brought gifts for Jesus – gold for a King, frankincense for a Priest, and myrrh for a Savior. This was during the time that Herod gave orders to kill all baby boys in his kingdom two years old and younger. God protected Jesus with a dream to Joseph telling him to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Could the gifts have been used for the road trip? Mary pondered all these things. I do too.

Sit back and enjoy a tour of Bethlehem and some Jordanian hospitality in this short video (not supported on iPhone or iPad):

Prayer: Father God, thank you for the humble way you introduced Jesus our Savior to the world. Thank you for your ways and Jesus’ ministry and sacrifice for our sins. Help us to live in light of our salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.