...all the way to Bethlehem, to worship Him. I can't believe that we've only got 2 weeks until we take our Imagination journey to revisit Bethlehem at the time of Christ's blessed birth. 2 Weeks! WOW! There were 2 groups of guys that took very different journeys to come and see the Christ child. As my family heads home toward Texas today from our Thanksgiving vacation, let's IMAGINE these 2 different journeys together.
First....the Shepherds. IMAGINE this...it was dark....most of the sheep were settled in for the night on the hillside. You've counted them....97, 98, 99, they are all there. It's time for some hot soup around the little fire that all the shepherds gather around for warmth. It's been a long day and you're just waiting to lay your head on that rock for some sleep. When suddenly, the dark night is cut in half with the brightest light you've ever seen. You shield your eyes not to be blinded by the fierceness. Is it fire? Is it the sun falling down to earth right here on the hillside? Wait...your eyes begin to adjust...what is that gorgeous being. You aren't afraid at all. You feel warm and peaceful and filled with awe. And you hear news that makes you leap with joy down to your toes. "Do not be afraid for I bring to you good news. Today, a Savior is born to you in the City of David...Christ the Lord. This shall be a sign. You shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Everyone is listening. Even the sheep are still. You know what you must do. You gather the herd and head down that rocky hill toward the city. Wait...there is no guessing. Even though the angels are gone...you see a star like you've never seen before shining brightly in the night sky, hovering right above a cave. Could this be the place? Heaven showed up to tell you about a baby born in a barn? But you go, because you must see for yourself. And there He is.... There is no doubt. Will His young mother let you see her newly born child. Your dirty and smell like sheep. But she is gracious and seems to understand that the child she holds is no ordinary child. One look...and you know...the world has been changed forever. And you will never be the same. You wish you had a gift for this sweet, little child. Maybe your prized lamb would be something that His parents could use and cherish. It is the least you can do.
And then there were the Wisemen. Their journey was much longer than down the hill and around the corner. They were smart guys. They had been reading the prophecy and studying the stars. And then it finally happens. That bright star is there in the sky. Quick...these royal foreigners must pack the camels and get going. The journey will take years. What if they can't get there in time to see the baby. Well, he won't be an infant when they arrive. But they must make this pilgrimage to see the child that was prophesied to change the world forever. Sand storms...stubborn camels...unpredictable weather. But this trip was worth it. There were precious gifts that must be delivered. And then the time comes. They arrive in the City of David...where the prophecy foretold he would be. But where? They decide to visit the palace. Surely the local king would have direction to where to find this Holy Child. But He seems odd and confused. Herod does invite them to join him for a nice meal, but it seems like he's just pressing them for information. Inside they feel they should not give him the information he is after. He makes a request, that when they find the king, that they come back by the palace and tell him so he too can go and worship the new king. Night is falling now and that bright star that has shown them the way for all this time will surely be there again. And it is. They journey to a humble dwelling. And there playing the yard is this beautiful child that they can't take their eyes off of. And He seems enamored with their whole entourage. The time is right. 3 Important gifts...symbolic according to prophecy. Gold, frankincense and myrrh. IMAGINE this...each king in his royal regalia bowing one at a time in front of this beautiful boy. His parents almost seem embarrassed by the fuss, but it isn't the first time strangers have come to be respect to their first born. See Him standing so still as these old, wise, weary travelers and all those who traveled with them, bend the knee. And then another gift of kindness from these foreign strangers. They inform the young parents that the local king named Herod has been looking for their child. His request didn't sit right with them, so they chose not to return to tell him where they found the Holy Child. And now that they had come and seen this King of Kings for themselves...the journey home would be well worth it. They trusted that the prophecy foretold would be true...and they found its truth in the flesh of a child that Mary called Jesus.
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