What are you seeking in Bethlehem?

‘Tis the season. It’s that time of year when we celebrate the greatest gift ever given through acts of generosity, charity and love. Amazingly, the time is celebrated regardless of religious views. Still, the reason for the season is known to center on an otherwise insignificant little town en-route to Jerusalem. Everyone knows of it, the town of Bethlehem.

Yes, ‘tis the season, but what do you look for when you look to Bethlehem? Many of us display a creche somewhere amongst our decorations, with sheep, cows, donkeys, shepherds, three wise men and a small family of three, with a baby in a manger. Is this what you look for in Bethlehem? ‘Tis the season.

If we are looking for a baby in the hay, we are missing the point. Almighty God did not send His Son into the world to be the subject of ooh’s and aah’s. No, the Christ-child was but the beginning of something we mere humans never heard of before and can barely grasp now. The birth in Bethlehem was a cosmic event planned and executed to precision before the foundations of this world were laid.

What are you looking for in Bethlehem? The birth of a child is rather commonplace. Sadly, the birth of a child to poor parents in deplorable conditions happens every day all over the world. The birth in Bethlehem was different and we must recognize it as such. What are you looking for in Bethlehem?

‘Tis the season, but for what? The particular mission of God’s Son was not about birth. It was about death. It was a mission to die for creatures who were in complete rebellion against the God of the universe and beyond. He was to suffer for His enemies in order to reunite them with their Creator. He came to reclaim creatures who’s only true value and worth was and is found in the Creator’s inexplicable, irrevocable love for them. 

Consider as you prepare to celebrate that Jesus Christ was born into an environment where He was despised for all He was and all He represented. He was born behind enemy lines, so to speak. In taking on flesh, He restrained His power as God, humbled Himself toward creatures whose best works were no more than filth. The minds of those who should have worshipped, adored and obeyed from centuries before were so corrupted that they would not and could not do anything at all to please Him. He gave Himself up to those who hated Him, those He could annihilate with but a word. 

You say I go too far in my assessment of the human condition? Read Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Apostle to the gentles was much more condemning than I. After reading it, I doubt I will hear any voices of opposition. 

What are you seeking in Bethlehem? In the fullness of God’s time, His Son took on flesh to be rejected by His creatures, continually harassed and denigrated by the religious leaders and accused of being a sinner, a rebel Himself, a lunatic and even demon-possessed. Attempts on His life were frequent. Despite living a sinless life, demonstrating His concern and love for doubting people, teaching the supposedly learned in the way of His Father, healing the sick, feeding the hungry  and even raising the dead, He was humiliated, beaten, cursed and spit upon. The occupying soldiers of His homeland stripped Him, scourged Him to the point of death, put a crown of thorns on Him and pounded the thorns into His head. Finally, they carried out a sentence of death in the most agonizing manner the Romans knew to use, and they were experts in pain. For all this, He came.

‘Tis the season, isn’t it? The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. That is all of us, and certainly it is me. His birth was necessary to fulfill this purpose. In the manger of Bethlehem lay the Savior of the world. There lay the One Who bore the nails in His hands and feet and the spear in His side. Even worse than all man could do to Him, He suffered separation from His Father as He became sin for us. This was the reason He came, the reason He became that child in the manger. His mission was one of redemption, pure and simple. But, ‘tis the season, right?

Indeed it is, but not for the reasons we too often celebrate. The prophet Isaiah saw the day and prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:6) In his Gospel, Luke records the angelic pronouncement, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Lk 2:11)

What are you seeking in Bethlehem? I for one am looking for my Redeemer, Who bore unimaginable sufferings just to bring me back to Him. I look to see the signs of that deliverance, because that is why He came. All His sufferings were known by Him before the first act of creation. Still He came. Forensically, His mission was accomplished eternities ago. Those nail-prints, the flayed back, the bruised face, the bleeding head and the pierced side were effectively there before He stepped across the threshold of Heaven to take on flesh. This is what I yearn to see when I enter the gates of glory and for all eternity. 

What are you seeking in Bethlehem? Are you looking for a meek child born in a stable? I implore you to look again, and see the Savior with all the marks that bought our pardon. Isaiah 53:5 states, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” 

‘Tis the season, indeed. If we cannot or will not see the end result of this marvelous event, we are shortsighted, O, Come Let Us Adore Him, oh, let us throw ourselves before the Lamb of God. He deserved our worship before, and He certainly claims it now. O, Little Town of Bethlehem, you were the entry point for He Who gives grace and faith. Don’t let this be a Silent Night, but fill it with praise for the One Who suffered and rose victorious! Look to Bethlehem and see Him Who bears the scars of our redemption! ‘Tis the season!