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As December comes around, we all immediately think about Christmas. Christmas is the most important, exciting, planned for holiday and yet it’s filled with lots
of stress. There is the stress of all the “to do” items we have to get done before Christmas. The church also adds stress to everything-The Bethlehem Experience, kid’s programs, Sunday School Christmas parties and the Christmas Eve service. While all of these are important, sometimes we need to stop, breathe, and just take a moment to consider the real meaning of Christmas.

The struggle for me is not to overlook the meaning of Christmas but to be excited about it. We need to remember that we should proclaim the importance of the night our Savior was born. That’s why I am so excited that The Bethlehem Experience gives some people, maybe the only time in the Christmas season, to consider the birth of Christ. While it may seem silly for us, to get dressed up and play a “part” it really does make a difference. I am always amazed how many people come and even become emotional at the manger. To be honest, I get tired of Bethlehem. It is a lot of work, it is quite stressful to find out who will take part, who won’t, who has costumes, when the camels get here and wondering if the weather will be cooperative. The Bethlehem Experience brings a lot of stress, I admit it. The truth is sometimes, I dread The Bethlehem Experience.

So why would I tell you that? Well, I am just like many of you. We are going on nine years of having The Bethlehem Experience. If I am not careful, I forget why we are doing it. I also know that as an adult, particularly as a churched adult, Christmas can become routine, but it shouldn’t. I must step back and try and consider what it must have been on “THAT” night. While the birth of Messiah was happening, just a few miles, yards or feet away they missed it. The people were more interested in their jobs, their tasks or even their family visitors than the hope found in that night. The shepherds who started that night the same as so many before, were about to be the first to hear the Good News. The young Mary faced the fear and the pain of carrying the one the angel told her would be the Messiah. Joseph faced the probability of shame for marrying a labeled woman. The king who would soon learn from traveling magi that a new king had been born. This night, these events would change the world.

We all know the story of Christmas. If I am honest whenever I hear the Luke 2 passage, I think of a little “boy.” Not the little boy you might think, but Linus. In the Peanuts Christmas episode, Linus stands on the stage, all by himself, when a spotlight shines down on him. After telling Charlie Brown all the other stuff doesn’t matter and he begins to tell the story that Luke shares.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 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.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The real wonder of Christmas is often gone for us, so we must relive it. I think The Bethlehem Experience helps not only others, but it helps us to remember that fact. So come and be a part, not for the stress, but to proclaim the wonder and the joy of Christmas.

In Christ,
Brother Alan