"Bethlehem Dawn"

Todd Agnew has a Christmas album, Do You See What I See?, which is full of beautiful songs. This morning the iPod served up "Bethlehem Dawn" -- which got me to thinking...

What did the shepherds think of all this? There they were, out in the dark fields watching over their sheep, and then suddenly!, a burst of heavenly radiance knocked them off their feet... Angels appeared, a mighty chorus, shining with glory, triumphantly announcing the Advent of the King:

“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

In a manger?! What?

Can you imagine what the shepherds thought? They had this glorious announcement of the birth of the King, shouted from the heavens by the Heavenly Host... and then, they went to the stable.

They went to a little stable which did not have the radiance of heaven infusing it, but which did have a tired young girl, exhausted and sweaty after delivering her first child. The stable had a father, worn out after anxiously helping his wife deliver a child who ought to have been born when they were at home, surrounded by family and older women who knew what to do! The stable had animals quietly sleeping, or curiously looking over at all the fuss in confusion and bemusement while they munched on some hay.

The stable had a little child, wrapped up tightly in swaddling cloths, fragile as all newborns are... The King of Kings, God Himself, in this tiny, frail, human body!

How confused the shepherds must have been with this very contrary set of events! The glory of Heaven pointing to the rude humility of the stable - what would you have thought?

The sunrise was beautiful this morning, but somehow it seemed that everything was darker then the sky we had seen just a few hours ago, as the angels sang a song of joy.

Not even the Bethlehem dawn could compare to the light it revealed,
Not even the Bethlehem sun that unveiled the son of God sleeping in a cattle stall, the almighty God humbled to save us all,
Not even the Bethlehem dawn.

The cry of a baby shatters the silence,
Can you believe that same voice makes my heart beat?
And the tears in his eyes, and in his mother’s and father’s, are tears for all mankind.

Not even the Bethlehem dawn could compare to the light it revealed,
Not even the Bethlehem sun that unveiled the son of God sleeping in a cattle stall, the almighty God humbled to save us all,
Not even the Bethlehem dawn.

This little baby is crying my tears for me,
This little baby is bathing in my shame,
This little baby is giving up his glory to take my place, to light the way.

Not even the Bethlehem dawn could compare to the light it revealed,
Not even the Bethlehem sun that unveiled the son of God sleeping in a cattle stall, the almighty God humbled to save us all,
Can you believe what he sacrificed for me?

Not even the Bethlehem dawn.

The Child born two thousand years ago grew up and obeyed His Father perfectly all His life. And then, at the appointed time, He took our punishment, He suffered our death - and gave Himself for us. God Incarnate gave the first, and best, Christmas gift - and then gave the ultimate Gift of Sacrifice and Forgiveness.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men!"

Will you take His offer?

We have nothing of worth to give Him, yet He asks us to give it. What does He ask of us? He wants us - our hearts, our minds, our pride, our pain, our sin, our failures... All of our being.

And in return, He gives yet more: His Spirit, His forgiveness, His blessings, His Home... His love.

I pray that the Babe of Bethlehem will be born anew in the hearts and souls of many this Christmas... Perhaps your heart is empty and longing for the Child; if so, let Him come in.

Let Christmas be proclaimed in your heart today!

Don't forget that the Carnival of Christmas' deadline is this Sunday, so get your posts ready, and submit them here. Also, go on by the Christmas Alliance home page and contribute your entries!