Bethlehem

Last Sunday evening was our carol service. We sang "O little town of Bethlehem" and "While shepherds watched their flocks by night". We listened to the familiar readings of the angels and the wise men and it made me think.

Good you may say. That's what going to church is meant to do for you.

But what was the thought? It was why do we never hear about Bethlehem in the Bible again? After all the shepherds saw and heard angels. Their message of good news and great joy, about a Saviour born and lying in a manger. "Glory to God in the highest" the angels sang "and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests". The shepherds were no slouches and spread the news around after they had been to see for themselves.

And then I reminded myself of the events that followed after Mary and Joseph fled the little town. When Herod's men killed all the baby boys two years old and under. And how much faith did they kill as well. Some peace on earth. Some favour to the men women and children of Bethlehem.

Singing about peace in the days up to and including Christmas is one thing. Finding peace amid the cruelties of this world is another. Yet I reckon this is where the Christmas message of peace is at its most profound. Because it comes out of the focal point of history, where BC became AD and God's Son came to experience the struggles, temptations, and cruelties of this world ending up crucified on a cross to bring us peace. So today is Christmas Eve and in the words of the carol:

"O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing"