On my first journey to Bethlehem, I was struck by a sight that truly left an imprint on my heart and mind about God's revelation in Jesus. The trip from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is not long and as soon as the crowded city of Jerusalem is passed, a stretch of fields can be seen along the highway just a short distance from Bethlehem. In fact, Bethlehem is visible on the approaching hillside from the fields, which even to this day are used by shepherds to tend sheep.
When I stopped to watch the shepherds in the field, I looked beyond the city of Bethlehem and saw a massive fortress shaped like a hill called the Herodian. This structure was built by King Herod as a fort to protect him from any rebellion or insurrection. After constructing a tall, strong fortress, the sides of the Herodian were covered with dirt and soil to appear as a hill and camouflage this place of last refuge and safety. In fact, just recently, a tomb has been discovered in the ruins of the Herodian, which may contain the remains of this cruel, vindictive ruler.
It seemed to me, looking at the fort in the distance, Bethlehem on the hillside and the shepherd's field before me that it can be easy at times to miss God's presence in our lives and in our world. Even though magi from the Orient informed Herod of the birth of a special child, he did not comprehend. His quest for power, control and authority blinded him to God's reality and activity. Remember, in fear and insecurity, Herod ordered the execution of children in Bethlehem in order to remove any possible threat or pretender to his power.
But it was poor, humble shepherds who sensed the promise of God and journeyed expectantly into Bethlehem to see the child Jesus. In trust and faith, they witnessed the advent of God into our world. God became flesh. Emmanuel, God with us, was born to show us God's love and to redeem our lives so we can live in relationship with God.
With the pace and activity of the Christmas season, it is an ever present temptation to lose sight of God in our midst. We can easily become absorbed by the demands and the attractions of the season and fail to spend time in worship, seeking God. I hope that, unlike Herod who followed his own will and way, you will rather come to God this Christmas like the humble, faithful shepherds.
When I stopped to watch the shepherds in the field, I looked beyond the city of Bethlehem and saw a massive fortress shaped like a hill called the Herodian. This structure was built by King Herod as a fort to protect him from any rebellion or insurrection. After constructing a tall, strong fortress, the sides of the Herodian were covered with dirt and soil to appear as a hill and camouflage this place of last refuge and safety. In fact, just recently, a tomb has been discovered in the ruins of the Herodian, which may contain the remains of this cruel, vindictive ruler.
It seemed to me, looking at the fort in the distance, Bethlehem on the hillside and the shepherd's field before me that it can be easy at times to miss God's presence in our lives and in our world. Even though magi from the Orient informed Herod of the birth of a special child, he did not comprehend. His quest for power, control and authority blinded him to God's reality and activity. Remember, in fear and insecurity, Herod ordered the execution of children in Bethlehem in order to remove any possible threat or pretender to his power.
But it was poor, humble shepherds who sensed the promise of God and journeyed expectantly into Bethlehem to see the child Jesus. In trust and faith, they witnessed the advent of God into our world. God became flesh. Emmanuel, God with us, was born to show us God's love and to redeem our lives so we can live in relationship with God.
With the pace and activity of the Christmas season, it is an ever present temptation to lose sight of God in our midst. We can easily become absorbed by the demands and the attractions of the season and fail to spend time in worship, seeking God. I hope that, unlike Herod who followed his own will and way, you will rather come to God this Christmas like the humble, faithful shepherds.
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