O Little Town of Bethlehem

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 ESV).

 

Yesterday’s devotional was partially inspired by the Christmas carol of Silent Night. The more I thought about the songs of Christmas, the more I began to think there may be some encouragement and inspiration from other songs as well. Today, I have chosen O Little Town of Bethlehem. It pictures a quaint village, peacefully asleep, unaware of what is taking place there on the night of Jesus’ birth. Some of the lyrics remind me of the prologue to John’s gospel as he describes Jesus’ coming in a similar way: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” In the quaint village of Bethlehem, the “light of the world” (John 8:12) was born.

 

Notice the contrast between the dark streets of Bethlehem and the everlasting light. The world that Jesus was born into was full of the darkness of sin and evil. Until Jesus came, there was no hope of anyone getting out of that darkness. But in one significant moment the light of the world comes in the birth of a baby. In that little child, as the Christmas song puts it, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

 

When I was the pastor of Santa Fe Baptist Church in Tennessee, one of our annual traditions was to gather some folks who were willing to sing and go to some of our community members who were unable to get out and carol. I am not a good singer, though I can produce plenty of volume. We did have many who had beautiful voices to cover my “noise.” It was such a wonderful experience of encouragement and hope.

 

That is the great message of Christmas. In the darkness of our world, the birth of Christ brings us the hope of coming His glorious light! Because of Jesus, we can leave the darkness of sin behind and begin a new life. Jesus said, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (cf. John 8:12). I pray you are living in that hope today!