This is where it all began 2,000 years ago – Bethlehem. a caravan of men and women, a man, his wife and a donkey descending the rugged terrain of hills and rocks. They were tired having walked a hundred miles from their homes in Nazareth. above the caravan was the evening grey sky. Below in the darkening valley through the chilly wintry air, they could see the faint lamplights of the little town of Bethlehem. as they came closer they heard the sound of a large noisy crowd talking, laughing and renewing family acquaintances and introducing themselves to strangers. Some were muttering about the thoughtlessness of the Emperor of Rome for calling a census in the middle of winter, when the roads were more perilous and the lodging more expensive. Tents would do in the summer. But winter required one to rent rooms or accommodations in Inns.
Making their way through the noisy gathering was a tired couple. It didn't help that Joseph was older and Mary was with child. They needed to rest in a room for the night. It didn't help that there was no room in the Inns. Urgency became a crisis when Mary's time was near. Lodging was out of the question. The couple could only hope for privacy.
So they struck out through the city heading south to a hillside manger where animals were feeding. as the couple approached the animals stepped back reverently. Later when they stepped ahead they were surprised to find a new born babe lying on the hay, sheltered from the wintry breeze by the crouched figures of Joseph and Mary.
all around them the steeply rising hills rose steeply like seats in a football stadium as if to seat thousands of invisible spectators. Up in those hills sheep wandered seeking grass protected by the shepherds, who tired from trudging after their wooly charges lay down to rest in the darkness. Suddenly up in the sky a bright light shone and a chorus of angels sang “Glory to God in the highest and Peace to among men of Good Will!” That was Bethlehem back then.
2,000 years later I arrived with some difficulty like Mary and Joseph. Like them I was tired and hungry but there was no food nearby. But a woman came to my rescue and invited me to her home where she cooked a meal. While she prepared food I typed this column.
a tour guide showed me the places where the events of Mary took place. The Manger Square; the Nativity church where down in the crypt a pointed star marks the spot where Jesus was born and where people bow low to kiss the spot. The shepherd’s fields are still there. The rough terrain remains.
In the Church of the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, TV cameras are set up ready to telecast Bethlehem to the world, so that the faithful from all over the world can unite in prayer for Peace to all of Good Will. May you and yours have a blessed and Holy Christmas.
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