These phrases are devoted to the reminiscence of my good friend, the late Otis Brumby, Jr., writer of the Marietta Each day Journal. He inspired me to run this column every Christmas season. It is usually devoted to those that consider.
I want I had been there. In Bethlehem.
I want I had witnessed the beginning of the newborn Jesus in a lowly manger. Was it actually as chilly and snowy that evening as is typically depicted on our Christmas playing cards or was it as cool and crisp a night as it’s predicted to be this yr in Bethlehem?
I want I might have seen firsthand Mary’s face as she seemed lovingly at her new child and that I might have requested her if she knew her life and ours could be modified eternally. Did she actually perceive what God had wrought? And Joseph. Poor easy Joseph. What will need to have been going by way of his thoughts? He was in Bethlehem solely as a result of he was required to register for the census in his hometown as decreed by Caesar Augustus. Did he have any thought what he had gotten himself into?
I want I might have seen the star that guided folks to the manger. Like everybody else that night, I’m certain I might have been stupefied and afraid, regardless that the angels stated to not be. I believe even listening to from a bunch of angels would have scared me.
I want I might have noticed the shepherds as they got here pouring into Bethlehem from the hills the place they’d been tending their flocks, headed for the manger to see for themselves what the angels had proclaimed to them. What did this rough-hewn bunch suppose after they noticed that little child? The Bible says they went again and instructed others what they’d seen. I want I might have heard what they stated about what they’d seen. Shepherding was in all probability by no means the identical for them after that evening.
I want I might have been there when the Magi arrived. That will need to have been fairly an occasion in Bethlehem to have three kings from the East seem to pay homage to the little child and to current him with presents of gold and myrrh and frankincense. Why these three specific presents? I’m certain the gold had some sensible utility and frankincense in all probability helped sweeten the air across the stables. However myrrh? Did anybody see the irony in the truth that myrrh could be one of many spices that might be provided to Jesus at his crucifixion to uninteresting the ache of the nails and the crown of thorns and later could be used to organize his physique for burial? Was this an indication of issues to return? God’s methods are mysterious.
I want I might have talked to the opposite folks in Bethlehem who had been there to register for the census together with Mary and Joseph and to attempt to clarify to them {that a} little one had been born of their midst that might change the course of historical past. I’m not certain they might have believed me if I might have even gotten them to pay attention. Anyway, they in all probability had little interest in what was happening on the town. They simply wished to get out of Bethlehem and again residence in order that they might get on with their routine lives.
I want I might determine what has occurred to us since that fateful evening in Bethlehem over 2,000 years in the past. The place is our awe? The place is our reverence? The place is our wonderment? Why have we allowed the beginning of our Savior to morph into cocktail events, Black Fridays, Cyber Mondays and gaudy gentle shows? Why did we allow this sacred occasion to be hijacked by retailers who earn money off of our holy day, however don’t enable the time period “Merry Christmas” to be uttered, printed or acknowledged lest somebody be offended? And we associate with it as if it doesn’t matter? Disgrace on us.
For this reason I want I had been there. I want all of us had been there collectively. In Bethlehem. With Mary and Joseph and the babe. With the shepherds. With the angels. With the Magi. Perhaps if we had witnessed these items for ourselves, then we might perceive how particular Christmas actually is.
And on at the present time and on this season, I want with all my coronary heart that peace might come as soon as once more to this sacred place. This Holy Land. The birthplace of the Prince of Peace.
You possibly can attain Dick Yarbrough at dick@dickyarbrough.com or at P.O. Field 725373, Atlanta, Georgia 31139.
