It wasn’t Bethlehem but rather, on the Kansas plains where the story of our Savior’s birth came alive. The Roman census takers demanded our names and birth dates before allowing us to enter the market of Bethlehem with its bedlam of market vendors selling herbs, handwoven baskets, fruits, and vegetables. A young girl held a lamb, the money changers argued, and over a fire, a whole chicken roasted.
The inn had no room. A cow mooed and sheep munched hay in the crude stable where the youthful Mary sat sweetly holding the Christ child. White-robed angels sang from on high, proclaiming that a Savior had been born. The shepherds consulted and left their sheep to go find the baby.
The newly engaged King Herod did his best to appear stern and powerful when the Wisemen appeared. The girl guiding us held a lantern on the path lit by hundreds of luminaries. She encouraged our group to stay together as we followed her to the place where the Star hung over the house of Joseph, Mary, and our Savior. The royally-dressed Wisemen came offering their gifts. We petted the three camels.
Let’s sing, “Joy to the World,” the girl said. “Joy to the world the Lord has come.” We rejoiced together in the calm, peacefulness of the night air at the coming of the King of kings. In our hearts, we knew the birth of Jesus is true. However, on this evening the young people of the Lonetree Church gave special meaning to the reason for Christmas. Thank you!
I wished I could take my Muslim friends on the journey. We have a story to tell.
“Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.”
Berniece
ps We enjoyed the cookies, hot chocolate, and visiting around the bonfires afterwards!
An Ordinary Life 