Daily devotion – the simplicity of Christmas
On our visits to the Holy Land, we would head to Bethlehem, crossing the checkpoint and make our way to the Church of the Nativity. On arriving at this location, I must advise it is far from an impressive location.
In fact, it is rather a large let down. But the main point of visiting this site is you do get the chance to go below the structure built on the site and see the cave where Christ was born – where the stable existed at the time of Christ’s birth.
Bethlehem was considered not much of a place at the time of Christ’s birth and there has been little to boost its identity in modern times other than being the location of the birth of the Messiah.
This is so true of the Scriptures that prophesied of Christ’s birth location – Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.
Jesus’ life followed the Bethlehem narrative. He worked as a simple carpenter whilst growing up in another small town by the name of Nazareth.
He advised those seeking to following Him that He owned no home. At His death all His property was found to be only the garment He wore.
This Christmas, in keeping with our Lord’s very example, let us be sensitive to over glamourising the season and instead be focused on the real theme of Christmas, that being the coming of our Messiah, who came to die in our place and pay the penalty for our sins.
It is in the simplicity of Christmas that we see Christ for who He is.
May we each reflect His humility and His servant’s heart as we celebrate His birth.