SONG OF BETHLEHEM
By
Marjorie W. Wittig
Captain Brent Summers slipped out the door of the barracks. He walked into the darkness of the ancient city of Bethlehem where his army officers' corps was housed for R&R during the Christmas holidays.
Here I am in this ancient city of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve; could anything else restore joy to my heart than this? He walked slowly along the silent streets, towards the city limits. He could almost hear the clip clop of the donkey carrying its burden of a pregnant Mary as she and Joseph came into this village of their ancestors. That night her baby was born in a stable with hay for a bed, sheep and donkeys looking on. Jesus--God as a helpless and innocent baby, the Creator of the universe--came to die for the sins of the world.
Their marriage, started out with such love and passion, had somehow filtered into dullness and apathy.
Then something happened; he met Judy, a bright, vivacious girl who loved tennis too; they played early mornings, late summer evenings, until one night a coffee invitation led to something more. He never meant to, never thought in all his life he would do anything like it. He knew the Bible warnings. After he told Kate, she asked for a legal separation. He decided to return to the army, the only guarantee of an income and a place to get away.
He totally cut off everything with Judy. But the stain was there.
Tonight he was in Bethlehem, the place where his Savior was born, the One to whom he'd given his life when he was ten years old. He'd been faithful all through high school, college. Between the tennis team and studies he hadn't dated very much; then Kate came into his life, a curly red head who fell into his heart with her energy and love. What had happened?
At the end of the street, he took a worn path leading up the hillside to a flat rock beckoning him to sit down. He looked into the sky. Stars over Bethlehem! He could hardly believe he was here; the words from Scripture of the old but ever new story of that night gripped his mind and heart. He envisioned the children snuggling on the couch with Kate while she read the story of Bethlehem they loved so much.
He put his head down on his knees, and suddenly tears overwhelmed him. "Oh God, forgive me," he prayed, "Come into my heart, cleanse me of this sin and restore my joy and love for You and Kate." Quiet for a few minutes, he looked into the heavens.
Stars sprinkled the dark sky, one shone brighter. The words of the old hymn came to him and he began to sing "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie,"... "O holy child of Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray; Cast out my sin and enter in, Be born in me today...my Lord Emmanuel."
A light breeze blew across his face. He stood, felt the peace he craved wash over him. Joyfully he bounded down the path. Savoring the moment, he walked quietly towards the barracks, singing the carol of peace and forgiveness.