“You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 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 old, from Ancient times,” Micah 5:2
The Christmas season is over and with it the trappings of the holidays come down to be stored in boxes until next year. We say goodbye to the Christmas trees, the lights, the tinsel, and the manger scenes. But there are some things that stay with us all year, the story of Jesus, our Savior and Messiah. I ran across some stories of the carols we love to sing, and I want to share one with you. They are appropriate any time of year.
Phillip Brooks was the most outstanding preacher in America in the 19th century. Thousands flocked to his church to hear him preach, but by 1863, during the Civil War, the national spirit was dying and with it was his spirit. Nearly everyone had someone in the family who had been killed in the conflict and gloom and despair fell over every service. Most of the congregation arrived dressed in black in memory of a fallen loved one. Pastor Brooks grew physically and spiritually tired. He wanted desperately to give his church what they needed most: peace…. But he was worn out and discouraged.
When the war ended in 1865, he rejoiced, only to have pain intensified when President Lincoln was assassinated. Although, he was not Lincoln’s pastor, he was asked to speak at the funeral. He did preach the sermon, but it left him more exhausted. In an attempt to regain his health and peace, he left the pulpit to take the long trip, 6000 miles, to the Holy Land.
On Christmas Eve, in Jerusalem, he borrowed a horse and set out into the countryside. He rode into the tiny, remote village of Bethlehem just as the first stars were emerging on a beautiful clear night. It took him back to that first Christmas and he was speechless! He heard a “singing in his soul” as he traveled around. When he returned home to America, he tried to relate to the congregation the incredible experience of the “song ringing in his heart,” but it fell short.
A few years later, a song began to form as a poem in his head and he quickly wrote down the words. He tried to compose a tune, but nothing seemed right. However, one night in his bed, long after he had given up trying, he woke up with a tune playing in his head. It was December 25, 1868, Christmas morning and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was born! So, on a horse, in a tiny village, a half world away, a song of truth and peace was conceived, and millions have been blessed because of the trip Phillip Brooks made that night.
“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” the world is searching for peace! Maybe you are too! One of the messages of Bethlehem is this: Jesus is accessible to everyone! It was only 6 miles from Jerusalem, but Herod didn’t bother to go. The religious leaders knew the location, but they were looking for someone different. The Wise men, gentiles, came from a distant land, following a star and they asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” The gift of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is free for you today. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. All you must do is accept that free gift and find peace through Jesus. In my travels, I’ve been to Bethlehem twice. Despite all the tourist trappings, the spirit of the Christ child is still alive there!
Your friend, Jean