The vividness of recollection is striking. It was May of 2001 – during a tour of the Holy Land, I was standing in the catacombs of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, staring in wonder at a star etched on the floor.
It’s a spot many scholars believe is the actual or approximate location where Jesus left His throne in heaven and entered earth’s human domain as a baby:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. — John 1:1, 14
Early Christian theologian and Greek philosopher Origen of Alexandria (185–c. 254) wrote:
In Bethlehem the cave is pointed out where He was born, and the manger in the cave where He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. And the rumor is in those places, and among foreigners of the Faith, that indeed Jesus was born in this cave who is worshipped and reverenced by the Christians. [Contra Celsum, Book I, Chapter LI]
Wherever the Eternal Word of God stepped out of eternity and into time, it was miraculous. And why would He do such a thing? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, … — John 3:16
The prophet Isaiah foretold of this great gift to humanity seven centuries before Jesus walked this earth as a man:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14
Immanuel, meaning, “God with us.”
Standing in this catacomb, glaring humbly at a star on the floor, I attempted to ponder such great love…for you, for me, for mankind. The Word became flesh – to live, to die, to rise again – to reverse the curse and provide the hope of redemption for humanity.
In Psalm 46:10, the psalmist penned these words: Be still, and know I am God. In that moment in Bethlehem, where the Son of God took on flesh, I attempted to do just that, meditating upon the Incarnation. For where else on earth could one more appropriately think upon such an act of love by our Creator God. How does a mere mortal ponder such profundity?
Yes, the sinless Son of God provides hope for humanity. And hope is something the world desperately needs today. In fact, I suppose there are people in both my life and in your life that may be walking in quiet desperation – walking without hope, hopeless.
As His children, we not only have hope, but a living hope:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, — 1 Peter 1:3
Today, just days before Christmas, we all are in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. To be still and know He is God is challenging for all of us, and particularly during this season of celebration. Yet, it is fruitful to ponder the Incarnation, that great miracle of God with all its wonderful implications, including the saving work of Jesus.
Amidst the busyness of the season, may we be ever mindful of people in our lives who are walking without hope, without Christ. May that reality motivate us to pray for, love on, and share the meaning of Christmas with precious people who, while walking without hope, may be open to hearing words of hope found in the Gospel!
As I ponder that great miracle which happened there in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, a great miracle happened here, in my very life, 31 years ago. Because, you see – it was 31 years ago this December that I was born-again, receiving new life, abundant life, eternal life – all in Christ Jesus. For He saved me and I am eternally grateful! And I who was once hopeless, am now filled with hope.
During the remainder of this advent season and beyond, may each of us who know the Son take time to stop, be still, and ponder the wonder and awe of the Incarnation, sharing Him with others as the Lord opens doors. And as we do, may it cause us to praise and thank God. For in His great grace, a great miracle happened there! Hallelujah!
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. — Luke 2:11
