This past June my family and I were part of the St. Luke’s trip to the Holy Land. As part of our journey, we made our way to the town of Bethlehem to see the place that was traditionally honored as the birthplace of Christ. Driving toward Bethlehem, we drove through countryside that was much the same as 2,000 years ago. There were rocky hills, dusty trails, and shepherds caring for their sheep. The path to Bethlehem seemed just as I had always imagined. I could picture Mary and Josheph traveling to the inn.
But once in Bethlehem, walking into the Church of the Nativity, that sense of familiarity vanished. The church was undergoing extensive renovation. Inside the main sanctuary we found scaffolding, boards, and tarps. It was dusty from the construction work and it was difficult to see the beauty of the church. Below the sanctuary was the grotto – the cave that was thought to be the place where Jesus was born. From ancient times to even the present, nomadic tribes in that part of the world have often kept their livestock in caves to shelter them from the elements. Stepping down into the small grotto, it was easy to see the soot on the walls from the candles that were burned over the years (now replaced by electric light) and on the floor a silver star to mark the supposed birthplace. To be honest, it looked nothing like the nativity scenes that are so common during the Christmas season.
To go from the familiar Judean countryside and scenes of shepherds with their flocks to the dim basement of the church was almost jarring to my senses. It didn’t “feel” like Christmas to me. But, as I looked around I saw my husband, my children, and my family of faith. The connection I had with all of these friends and family that I loved so dearly was also my connection to God. We sang O Little Town of Bethlehem and I was instantly transported to the many Christmas Eve services I have experienced.
I was as near to the actual birthplace of Christ as I could be, yet it wasn’t the location that brought me into the presence of God, it was the relationships I had with people around me. I love the beauty of St. Luke’s on Christmas Eve – the poinsettias, the nativity scene, the candlelight – but to be honest it is none of these things that give me the “feel” of Christmas Eve. It is the connection I have to my friends, family, and God that reminds me of the birth of a baby in Bethlehem through whom the world would find peace, hope, and eternal joy. My Christmas prayer is that we would all feel connected to the birth of the Christ Child this day and forevermore.
Rev. Wendy Lambert, Senior Executive Pastor
