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Christmas Blessings!






For many of us, the Christmas story reads like a myth. That is why increasing numbers omit the ‘Christ’ component of Christmas and will celebrate X, Y and Zmas as they see fit. C.S. Lewis concluded: *"Now the story of Christ is simply a true myth: a myth working on us in the same way as the others, but with this tremendous difference that it really happened: and one must be content to accept it in the same way, remembering that it is God’s myth where others are men’s myths…"

 Men’s myths usually have no real geographical location, whereas God’s 'myth' does. Just in passing, increasing archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem continue to prove the historicity of the Bible. As I stood in the Shepherds’ Field outside of Bethlehem back in September of this year, it was deeply moving to relive in my mind the events of Luke 2: 8-20. What a privilege to stand in the actual place where the ‘glory of the Lord’ shone around the shepherds as they received the heavenly message of ‘good tidings and great joy’. The Bible really becomes alive when the geographical settings of the text are visited. 

Cave at the Shepherds' Field


Inside the Franciscan Church at the Shepherd's Field

Like the shepherds, we moved on to Bethlehem to see the ‘place’ where the Lord had entered the world. Today a church occupies the geographical position, but as I often do in Israel, I razed the church in my mind and imagined how it was 2000 years ago.



Manger Square, Bethlehem
                                     
It struck me that Bethlehem today is still just a dusty, run-down, insignificant town, except for the fact that it is the birthplace of the Incarnate God.

Micah prophesied concerning the birth of the Messiah:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the
Thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to me
The one to be ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth have been from
Of old,
From everlasting.
Micah 5:2

Our God seems to delight in using humble circumstances when He plans to do something great. The gentle baby in the manger, who was born to provide redemption for mankind at the cross, will one day return as the Ruler of Israel and the world. It is His universe after all. He made it and will surely redeem it. God’s 'myth' started ‘from everlasting’, touched the sphere of time and will shape eternity’s destiny. 

It has been a bleak year for many and our hearts weep with those who weep. However, we focus on the hope that the Christmas story brings to all of humanity. For those of us who have recognized that this 'myth' really happened, we rejoice that salvation is available to those who accept this Saviour into their lives and hearts.  

I wish you a very happy Christmas and much peace and joy in the New Year!

 Olive. xxx


*from Yours, Jack, The Inspirational Letters of C.S. Lewis, edited by Paul F. Ford. 
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