Bethlehem seems so far away. We don’t even know Bethlehem.
  Talk of shepherds and crowded inns,
   cruel Kings and weapon clad soldiers,
    and angels … when was the last time you saw an angel?

Bethlehem seems so far away. We don’t even know Bethlehem.
  A teen mother,
   an unmarried couple laying their child in a manger,
    and Magi bearing gifts … when was the last time you
     saw a Magi?

Bethlehem seems so far away. We don’t even know Bethlehem.
   God coming to humankind,
     breaking into this earthly life,
      desiring a home within each heart … when was the last time
        you saw that?

Bethlehem seems so far away. We don’t even know … or do we?

Is Bethlehem that far away? Do we know Bethlehem?
   We know people who eke out a living doing the dirtiest of jobs.
    We know of crowded streets and busy hotels.
     We know of cruel government leaders and hired enforcers.

Angels. Well, maybe we do or don’t know angels,
   but we know of young mothers and unmarried couples
    expecting babies.
     We know even if there’s no insurance Grady still has to take
      them in …
       We know of mothers who lay their new born child in a
        borrowed crib.

Bethlehem isn’t really so far away. We do know Bethlehem.
When we stop the craziness of a culturally clad Christmas
we will know God wanting to beak into our lives,
wanting our time and attention like babies do,
wanting to be loved like babies need to be loved,
wanting to have a home like babies need to have a home.

Bethlehem isn’t really so far away. We do know Bethlehem.
   May we be the Magi, people who seek Jesus, who bow to worship him.
    May our gifts be the offering of our lives to God.
     May we know Bethlehem.

Merry Christmas,

Sue