Recently, my dear friend from Nebraska shared with me her anticipated pre-Christmas pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Her excitement over being able to be in His land in the Christmas season brought many warm thoughts to my mind. It was 10 years ago that I experienced the joy of worshipping in a cave on the shepherd hills on Christmas Eve. While the many experiences I had the day before Christmas, and on Christmas day were so vivid in my mind. I wrote them down the day after Christmas, in the International Hotel on a hill in Jerusalem. And I will share these thoughts with you dear readers of this Warm Thoughts column.
Christmas in Bethlehem, 1987. Twas the Night Before Christmas and up in the sky, I saw a helicopter passing me by. The noises of army trucks were out on the street, in hopes that peace they soon would meet. Some children were running from here to there, hoping that someone somewhere would care. Others were snuggled safely in bed, just wondering where to lay their head. The children on Mount David were given much love, they prayed and sang like angels above. The bent winged angels were in a hospital bed, "Dear child," I prayed, "lay down your sweet head." When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but an angel telling me Christmas was here. The rain from the heavens splashed a bright ray, I knew in a moment it would make my day. The lights from the bus brightened the way, "To the Shepherd's Hill we go!" Gabriel did say. With Bible in hand and friends so dear, we were sure that Jesus surely was here. The guiding star took us through many a path - one hardly could keep from having a laugh. I know God must laugh at us many a time, as we hurry and scurry and not watch his sign. I wondered if ever we'd reach the site, and there would be warmth and there would be a light. "My child I'm here," I heard him say, "it is night and tomorrow is Christmas Day." I knelt with the shepherds at that humble cave. And we sang and worshipped and praised his name. The beauty and joy of this Christmas night will forever make remaining days bright. A stranger walked in as we worship that night. She lived in Shepherd Hills with very little light. She was weary and worn, a poor widow burdened with care. I touched her and cared, she's an angel unaware. Oh thank you, dear Lord, for sending us God's Son, to live here and die that all peace may be won. Glory to God. May we always sing praise for each and every one of our days.
As we returned in spirit to Bethlehem this year, let us remember what the angels sang on those hills so many years ago, "Peace on earth, goodwill to men." Warm Thoughts: Jesus is the reason for the season. Peace is not a season. It is a way of life. God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December. James M. Berry. Have a joy filled Christmas season.
Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner
Published in the Marion Record December 18th, 1997
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Till next time,
Trina