Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation (Luke 2:29-30).

O Little Town of Bethlehem

This week’s carol places us in Bethlehem, on the night Jesus was born.  All is quiet, as the little town lies still, sleeping dreamlessly.  The only ones doing anything are the immortal angels, keeping watch and singing, singing in ways that don’t disturb the peace.

Bethlehem means “house of bread.”  Bethlehem, where Ruth found bread and much more besides.  Bethlehem, the “city” of King David.

This week’s Scripture places us in Jerusalem.  Here, now, it’s busy, noisy, crowded.  Bethlehem is only a short distance from the capital city, and Mary and Joseph and their baby son have come to the Temple, to present him to the Lord and to offer the Law-appointed sacrifice for Mary’s ritual purification after the bloodiness of giving birth.  They’re dirt poor people, bringing the offering of the poor, just two small and inexpensive birds instead of a fine, fat lamb.

What was it like, to have an angel tell you that God desires your permission to bring the Messiah through your body?  To have heard an angel tell you to go ahead and marry your “irregularly” pregnant fiancé?  To have impossibly carried God within your womb? To have had shepherds burst in upon you like an afterbirth, telling you all that they had seen and heard?

All this and more they carry in the hearts as they carry their baby boy into the Temple.  An old man steps from the crowd and comes toward the little family.  “May I?” he asks, Bethlehem-quiet, extending his arms gently, receiving the baby quietly, drawing the little bundle close to his heart.  He speaks, strange words, about salvation, revelation and glory, about many who will rise because of this baby, and many who will fall, and about a mother’s heart pierced by a sword.

An old woman hurries over, excited, and then begins telling everyone about this child, to any and all who were longing for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight the carol sings.  Bethlehem fades from the Biblical story, almost never mentioned after Luke 2.  All those hopes and fears, met that night in the little town, are going to meet again in Jerusalem some thirty years on.  There will be a raising and a rising, a violent piercing and a strange peace, a revelation, a salvation and a great and lasting glory as the hopes win out over the fears, because his name is Jesus and he shall save his people from their sins.

Lord Jesus, thank you that the little towns and crowded cities of our hearts are objects of your attention and saving love.  You have come for us; may we come with you, following you wherever you may lead.  Amen.  And Merry Christmas, beloved Connect Devotional readers – thanks for reading!