Day 25: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 25

Silent night, Holy night.

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus Lord at thy birth;

Jesus Lord at thy birth.

Celia looked up from her story. Candles flickered in the sanctuary lighting the faces of the worshippers looking up at her in the pulpit. “When I was asked to write a story for tonight, I told myself to stay out of Bethlehem. That sacred story had been told and I could write nothing more. I struggled to come up with something new and original. I prayed for inspiration. My prayers went unanswered. As long as I was determined to stay out of Bethlehem, no story came.”

Celia pointed to the star now hanging over the manger, the star that Joe had crafted in his workshop which hung over the stable he had built and filled with carved figures of Joseph, Mary, shepherds, sheep, and kings. 

“The star that brightened the skies over the shepherds; the star that guided the wise men, the star that hung over the stable where a mother watched in awe and a father stood guard, announced the Savior who redeemed the world. On that star-bright night, no one could stay out of Bethlehem. Neither should we. We cannot stay out of Bethlehem when a Savior awaits us there. Kneel with the shepherds. Join the angels’ song. Feel his peace. Take the star-bright light of the Savior with you into the world. Share the story of our Savior. Carry him in your heart. Shine his light into the world.”

As the organ lifted the congregation to their feet for the final carol, tears pricked Celia’s eyes. She looked down at Merry and Hurry holding their lit candles high. She smiled at Joe’s handiwork gracing the altar. A tiny elephant, carved into the back of the stable, smiled back at her. 

Celia had tried to stay out of Bethlehem but had failed. Star-bright, it shone in her heart. Lifting her candle, she joined in singing, “Wondrous Star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born!”

Advent Challenge: Rejoice! Christ the Savior is born!

Prayer: Wondrous star, lend thy light. With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King. Christ the Savior is here, Jesus the Savior is here. Lord, we shine with the star; we sing with the angels; we worship with the shepherds; we bring gifts like the Wise Men; we give you our hearts. Amen

Lisa Marie Crane

10/20/20

Day 24 Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 24

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see the lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee to-night.

The light of the star lit up the hillside. Could I forget my father’s warnings, leave the sheep and follow into Bethlehem? I looked about for an answer. Amos’s dog! I whistled for him. “Guard the sheep,” Picking up the orphaned lamb and resting her on my shoulders, I tumbled down the hillside. 

I didn’t stop by my kneeling friends. I didn’t stop to wonder at the great star resting above the stable. I didn’t stop to call a greeting or announce my name. I rushed in, thinking to find a crowned prince. I had forgotten the angels description of baby wrapped in swaddling and lying in a manger. Surely a Savior would be robed in gold? 

No gold littered the floor. No royal robes clothed the baby. I found a mother and father who looked tired after a long journey. No crowns or scepters. I looked for the baby. He slept in the manger wrapped in common cloths. No one spoke yet I felt a sacredness there. 

I moved closer. The baby’s father moved to protect his family. The mother lifted her eyes to mine, then turned to her husband, “Let him come.” 

I knelt next to the infant. He reminded me of my brother Samuel. He sighed in his sleep. That sigh filled my heart. Awe filled my soul. I looked from the baby to his mother and saw my awe reflected there. I saw that same awe in his father’s face. Turning, I saw it in the shepherds who kneeled outside. The star-bright night reflected the glory of this child named a Savior by a choir of celestial angels. 

A murmuring from the shepherds outside woke me from my reverie, “We must tell the world,” Amos cried. He strode off to wake the town. Others followed. Hesitating, I took the lamb from my shoulders and laid it in a sheltered corner behind the manger, my offering to the infant savior. 

Remembering the flock, I rose and turned toward the hill. Before setting off, I looked once more at the scene in the stable. A father stood guard. A mother gazed lovingly into her baby’s face. The baby rested securely in his mother’s arms. A star shone brightly above. Peace filled my heart.

If I never set foot in Bethlehem again, I will remember this night. My father’s warning echoed in my memory, “Stay out of Bethlehem.” As I walked back to my sheep, I wondered, “How could anyone stay out of Bethlehem when a savior awaits us there?” 

Advent Challenge: Don’t make the Savior wait. Meet him now. 

Prayer: O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emanuel! Amen

Day 23: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 23

There’s a song in the air!

There’s a star in the sky!

There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a babies low cry!

And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,

for the manger in Bethlehem cradles a King!

This night, on a hillside outside of Bethlehem, we had begun to doze as the fire burned down. Our flocks dotted the hillside around us. The moon floated dimly above us as we wrapped ourselves in our cloaks taking turns to rest as others watched. The night was cool. The fire was warm. Sleep called.

Suddenly, the skies blazed with light. Many jumped to their feet and pointed heavenward. Was it lightening? A shooting star? Shimmers of light dimmed the light of the moon. Shapes formed. Beings of light! 

We dropped to our knees pulling our cloaks over our heads as a voice called from above, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in Bethlehem, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The sky filled with a heavenly army as we prostrated ourselves on the grass. Voices filled the air:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 

The sky emptied as quickly as it had filled. The sheep dozed around us still. Had we imagined it? Amos, the boldest among us, spoke first, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened that the angels told us about.” All wanted to go but someone must stay with the flocks. Remembering my father’s admonition to stay out of Bethlehem, I volunteered. Watching the others hurry away, I wondered if I had made a bad choice.

I sighed with the sheep as I added fuel to the fire. An orphaned lamb rested close to its warmth. Gazing skyward, I saw a new light. Again the moon waned but no angels filled the sky. This time, a star blazed ever brighter over the town of Bethlehem. Star-bright, Bethlehem seemed to glow. I saw my friends reach the edges of town. They bypassed the inn and stopped before a stable. What caused them to drop to their knees? 

Advent Challenge: Have your earthly responsibilities kept you from kneeling at the manger? From now until Christmas, focus on worshipping the King of Heaven sleeping in a manger, the Savior who died to save you from sin, the God who loves you. Rejoice!

Prayer: We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song that comes down through the night from the heavenly throng. Ay! We shout to the lovely evangel they bring, and we greet in his cradle our Savior and King! Lord, we greet you with open hearts. Fill them with your love. Amen

Day 22: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 22

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Luke 1:15-20 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

“Stay out of Bethlehem.” My father had warned me. “People like us aren’t welcome there except at Passover when lambs are needed for the sacrifice. We are so close to Jerusalem that many stop here on their way to the temple. Our prices are lower too. Those thieves at the temple gates charge three times as much as we can get here in the country. When we are useful for pulling travelers to the shops of Bethlehem we are welcome. Other than then, those that live there would rather we stayed in our fields. No, stay out of Bethlehem. Nothing but trouble awaits you there”

In my thirteen years, I had taken his advice. What did I want with town life? The fields and hillsides were good enough for my flock and therefore good enough for me. My flock was my life, nay, my family, since I spent more time with them than in my father’s home. After mother died giving birth to my brother, home no longer called to me. Stricken by his grief, father forgot his three children. My sister, Miriam, had taken over the care of the baby and our home. After the first fortnight, I had bid Miriam and baby Samuel farewell and gone to live with my flock.

People say that sheep follow their shepherd, but shepherds also follow their sheep. I wandered with them as they sought green pastures, still waters, and safe pathways. Along the way, I encountered fellow wandering souls, shepherds young and old. Occasionally, we would gather around a fire, exchanging stories of sheep and men. 

Advent Challenge: What stories do you tell at Christmas? Do you read about the Grinch? Scrooge? St. Nick? Do you tell stories of family adventures or remember those we’ve loved and lost? The stories we tell define our lives. Take the story of the holy night as your own. Fall on your knees. Praise his holy name.

Prayer: Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Lord, we praise you!

Day 21: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 21

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room

For Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus

There is room in my heart for Thee.

Merry’s knock came earlier than expected, Celia was just slipping into her shoes. Opening the door, Celia was surprised to see both Merry and Hurry, laden under wrapped packages, standing on the doorstep. Bustling inside, they dropped their packages under the tree and gathered Celia into a family hug. Caught in their arms, Celia felt Joe’s arms once more around them. 

“The tree is beautiful, Mom,” said Merry. “Here’s the lamb ornament I made for you in first grade, and there’s Hurry’s smiling elephant. Remember how he argued that elephants would have been welcome at the manger? He and Dad carved it from some scrap wood. You were so worried that he would cut his little fingers! But here he is, fingers intact, still carving masterpieces from wood.”

“And this year,” Hurry held up a small package, “another incredible ornament for our family tree.” He handed over the package for Celia to open. 

“You always use too much tape,” Celia scolded pulling the paper off. She opened a small box to find a tiny nativity scene. Mary rested with the infant in her arms. Joseph stood watch over them. A star shone above them. Tears pricked Celia’s eyes as she wrapped her arms around Hurry.

“I know how you love that painting,” he said. “Now, what’s for dinner? Isn’t today some special day? I know. It’s Mistle’s birthday!” Merry swatted his arm, scooped up Mistle who had been curling around her feet, and kissed Celia on the cheek. 

“Let’s put it on the tree right under the star Dad made for your first Christmas. Dad always called it our star-bright tree.”

Laughter flavored their dinner as well as a few tears of remembrance. As Merry and Hurry cleared and washed up, Celia slipped into her office to get her tote bag. Ready or not, it was Christmas Eve. Ready or not, Joseph traveled with his pregnant wife to Bethlehem. Ready or not, Mary’s baby arrived and rested in a manger. Ready or not, the world welcomed a Savior. Ready or not, it was time to go to Bethlehem.

Advent Challenge:  Ready or not, Jesus comes. Are you prepared? Have you made room in your heart? Get ready. He comes. 

Prayer: Oh come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee. Amen

Day 20: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 20

In the little village of Bethlehem

There lay a Child one day,

And the sky was bright with a holy light

O’er the place where Jesus lay.

December 23rd found Celia avoiding her laptop and baking a cake for Merry’s birthday. Did she have twenty-eight candles? How could Merry grow so old? Celia had been just that age when she had met Joe, and thirty when Merry was born. Merry has so much life ahead of her. Celia and Joe had encouraged her to follow her dreams and she had, studying hard to get into an architecture program, traveling the world to mine the riches of ancient and modern buildings, getting into a coveted internship program, and finally earning a job with a good firm in the city. Hurry had followed his father into the industrial arts, opening his own cabinet-making and design business in a rural area. Joe had been so proud of both of them. 

Twenty-eight. Celia had felt just that young every time she looked into Joe’s face until the last year, when the illness Joe had bravely fought for a decade finally claimed him. He had never complained — not to Celia, anyway — but fought through treatments and surgeries, side-effects and setbacks, with good humor and hope. His final days were peaceful. He had fought the good fight, run the good race. His only regret was leaving Celia. 

Celia slid the cake pans into the oven, set the timer, and trudged up the stairs to her office. She bravely faced her empty screen. Gazing up at the painting, Celia again studied Mary’s face, Joseph’s guarding posture, the sleeping baby, the shining star. Resting in the corner, just behind the manger, a lamb slept. 

It was now or never. Praying for inspiration, Celia placed her fingers on the keys. 

Advent Challenge: Birthdays are special times. A child’s birth begins a new life. The anniversaries of that day are milestones of achievements gained or opportunities lost, celebrations and sorrows, successes and failures. The birth of Christ marked the end of sin and the beginning of salvation. Jesus’ birthday brought new life to humankind. Light a candle and celebrate!

Prayer: Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang! And the sky was bright with a holy light. ’Twas the birthday of a king. Lord, with the angels we sing, Alleluia! May our song ring throughout the world, filling the skies with your light, your love, your joy and your peace. Amen

Day 19: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 19

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,

earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;

snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow, snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Stay out of Bethlehem. How could she stay out of Bethlehem and still tell the story of redemption? Celia remembered a trick her college literature teacher had used. She asked the class to imagine themselves into whatever story they were reading. What did they see? What sounds did they hear? What smells tickled their noses? Was the air still, breezy, warm, frigid, charged with excitement, shattered by fear? 

Celia’s gaze wandered to the painting over her desk. The Holy Family looked lonely tonight. Mary must have wished for her family to be gathered around her at the birth of her first child. Joseph, like many husbands, probably felt useless during Mary’s labor, asking how he could help, perhaps tripping over his own feet as he listened to Mary’s heavy breathing and the tiny cries of the newborn. No angels had arrived yet to announce the holy birth. The shepherds with praises and the kings with gifts had yet to come. It was just Mary with Joseph, and a newborn child. 

The night air must have been chilly. Did Mary worry that the swaddling cloths were warm enough? Did Joseph try to start a fire? Did he wonder how he would feed his family? Had they carried food? Did the baby’s cries mingle with the lows of cattle or sighs of birds nesting in the rafters? Did they waken other travelers? Did the smell of manure fill the air? The night was dark and they were alone — at least in tradition— until the angels and shepherds arrived. 

A mother and father alone in the moonlight worn out from travel and labor wondering at the miracle of birth as the stars shone bright above. 

Advent Challenge: Imagine yourself into the story of Bethlehem. What would you see, smell, hear, touch and taste? Is it stable dark? Are you shivering? Is your stomach rumbling? Do you hear the angels singing? Are the aromas of earth filling your nostrils? Are you calming Mary? Are you helping Joseph warm the stable? Are you singing with the angels or kneeling with the shepherds? What gift would you bring? Welcome the infant king. 

Prayer: What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give him my heart. Today, Lord, I give you my heart. Amen

Day 18: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 18

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

On December 22nd, Merry called. “Mom, I’ll be home by 3:00 on Christmas Eve for my birthday dinner and then we can walk to church together. Hurry will meet us there. I haven’t told him about your sermon, so it will be a big surprise!”

Celia hung up. It will be a big surprise for everyone since it still wasn’t written. Celia imagined herself in the pulpit, gazing at a full, candlelit church, looking down at blank pages. She remembered an old joke her father had told about a priest, a rabbi, and a minister out fishing on a lake. They were discussing their sermon writing habits. The priest said, “I start my sermon on Sunday afternoon for the next week. I work on it all week.” The rabbi said, “I start on Wednesday afternoon so I will be ready for the Friday service.” The minister said, “Well, I usually schedule a long hymn right before the sermon …” 

Which carol has the most verses? Celia wondered. 

Cradling her face in her hands, Celia looked down at Mistle who was curled up at her feet. “What story do you think I should tell? Was there a cat at the manger?”

Scribbled notes of ideas that had stalled at the starting gate littered Celia’s desk. The race was about to begin and Celia’s story was nowhere to be found. This was the worst case of writer’s block she had ever suffered. She never could have delivered a story in time for the newsletter. Tamara, the church secretary, had included a glowing advertisement for Celia’s “inspiring Christmas story,” in the letter which arrived yesterday. 

Taking a deep breath, Celia steeled herself. There had to be a story in her fingers. They had never failed her before. Blowing on them for good luck, she tapped at her computer keys. A single sentence emerged: Stay out of Bethlehem.

Advent Challenge: Do you have everything ready for Christmas? Have the gifts been wrapped, the cards sent, the cookies baked, the tree decorated? So many of the preparations we make for Christmas are external. Today, focus on your internal preparations. Sing a few carols. Reflect on the stories they tell. Consider the love of God who sent his son to save us. Then, joyfully adore him.

Prayer: Child, for us sinners, poor and in the manger, we would embrace Thee, with love and awe. Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly? Lord, while we were yet sinners, you came to save us. Forgive us our sins. We come to adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen

Day 17: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Stay Out of Bethlehem

An Advent Calendar Story

Day 17

Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the new-born King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!

Christmas rushed toward them. Caught up in holiday preparations, baking cookies for the free lunch program, wrapping gifts for Merry and Hurry (despite their urging her not to bother this year), helping to collect clothing for the Veteran’s Hospital gift drive, volunteering at the Senior Center, and taking frantic calls from Althea about getting candles for the worshippers for the Christmas Eve service, Celia had little time to worry about her story. On December 19th, she looked up from the box she was packing for the VA and realized that she only had five days (counting this one) to come up with a great story/sermon. 

Waving a hasty good-bye to the other packers, Celia grabbed her things and almost galloped home. The few blocks seemed endless as she scoured her mind for a viable story line. What had she gotten herself into? Dropping her bag by the front door, and skirting around the tree Hurry (Mom, we just have to have a tree) had set up, Celia headed to her office. 

Opening her laptop, she faced the blank screen, lifted her hands, dropped her fingers onto the keys, and prayed for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. She gazed up at the painting above her desk hoping an angel would appear with a fully finished manuscript of the greatest Christmas story ever written. Chuckling at her thoughts, Celia realized that an angel had already given that story. "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

Looking upward, Celia prayed, “Rest some favor on me!”

Advent Challenge: The rush of the holidays sometimes overwhelms us. While we are running around doing good, we often forget to prepare for the coming Savior. Take a moment today to read the greatest story every told in Luke 2:1-20. Glory with the angels. Wonder with the shepherds. With Joseph, praise God. With Mary, ponder all these things in your heart. 

Prayer: Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”  Lord, send us your peace. Amen

Day 16: Stay Out of Bethlehem

 

Day 16

As Joseph was a-walking, he heard the angels sing,

“This night there shall be born, our heavenly king.

He neither shall be born in house not in hall, 

Nor in the place of paradise but in an ox stall.”

After a brief courtship, aided by a school full of matchmakers, Celia and Joe were married in the Starbright School courtyard, followed by a reception in the cafeteria and dancing on the playground— the perfect wedding venue for two teachers. At the reception, Joe had toasted his bride with a carton of chocolate milk: “To Celia, my bright star!”  

They found a little house with a tiny yard that became the loving home for their growing family. Joe had wanted children from the start. Merry came along about two years after the wedding. Hurry followed closely a year and a half later. Having two babies in diapers while teaching was a challenge but with the help of Joe’s parents, school holidays, and summer breaks, they had made it. Joe had used his carving and carpentry skills to furnish their house and to make a bit of extra money for soccer shoes, piano lessons, bicycle helmets, and trips to the beach. 

Joe jumped right into fatherhood, changing diapers, bandaging knees, grinning through piano recitals, lugging equipment to and from games, wiping away tears, and telling dad jokes which made Merry and Hurry groan and giggle. Through the children’s growing years, Joe and Celia had less time for each other but managed to keep their romance alive holding hands in the bleachers, exchanging grimaces when tiny fingers lost the melody, and whispering endearments while little athletes slumbered in the back seat. 

Every morning, before school, Joe had led them in prayer before engulfing them in a family hug. Celia missed his arms around her. 

Advent Challenge: Are you missing someone this Christmas? So many who we expected to celebrate with us are gone. Young people have a lot of expectations — of love, of home, of children. Parents have expectations too — of smiling faces, of hugs and kisses, of family tranquility. Older people expect a peaceful retirement, adventurous traveling, time to reflect and relax. Then reality strikes. Couples argue. Children fuss. Health fails. Loved ones leave us. With love and prayer, we meet the challenges of life. Joseph didn’t expect his betrothed to be with child, to travel far from home, to shelter in a stable, to raise a Savior, but he believed the words of the angels and trusted in God. Give your expectations and unexpected challenges to God today. Trust in his love.

Prayer: Mary took her baby, she dressed him so sweet, she laid him in a manger, all there for to sleep. As she stood over him, she heard the angels sing, “O bless our dear Savior, our heavenly king.” Dear Lord, we often expect one thing and get another. Help us accept the unexpected by trusting in you. Amen