Biblical Moment 22: Bethlehem: Walking as Mary & Joseph did; Up to the Church of the Nativity!
On my first visit to Bethlehem I walked the couple of miles from the border with Israel, through the town of Bethlehem, up to the place where Jesus was born, now the Church of the Nativity. Along the way I saw many interesting things—foremost being an inspiring ‘2-0-0-0 Millennial Statue with a ‘2’ and three interlocking ‘0’ rings reaching up to the sky. I crossed the street to get a closer look and read the accompanying plaque.
“In the region where the most fervent was the encounter of the great monotheistic religions that manifested itself in a clash for the past—the three links that represent each one (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and that at the same time connect the third rising millennium uplifted towards the sky rather than tumbling down inertly—want to evoke a new spiritual course—inspired to the light of humanity and culture—untamed yearning for hope of solidarity and peace among peoples freedom of faith and thought—creative conviction of a sincere future for the world.”—Ottaviano Giannangeli
“Want to evoke a new spiritual course? TROML Baby (an exclamation of Joy & Gratitude)! Thank you God for your wisdom and creative talent expressed through Ottaviano Giannangeli. A hidden angel now made public in the little town of Bethlehem!
I continued walking as the road took a turn to the right; there was a grassy field with a view to die for. I didn’t want to die so I stayed a safe distance from the drop-off point and sat down and open my bible to the Gospel of Luke 2:4-7 to read about Mary & Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. I was likely walking along the same ridges as Joseph leading the pregnant Mary on a donkey. This is antiquity that I was reliving today that will be as real as real can be come Christmas Eve with the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Like acing a math test in middle school I knew I was on the path to the right answer to the right question in life once again.
What is it all about? We live and we all die a common destiny but there is a God and an exquisite spiritual meaning to each one of our lives. We seek and find God’s Will for our life through an ongoing relationship with God The Father; God The Holy Spirit; and God Jesus Christ—The Trinity! With a compassionate, loving and merciful heart like Jesus’, powered and tethered by The Holy Spirit one surrenders their will to God’s Will and miraculous things happen to them and in their lives! TROML Baby (an exclamation of Joy and Gratitude)!
Here are some biblical references in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The other two Gospels—Mark and John—start with John the Baptist and Jesus as an adult man beginning his ministry at age 30.
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, Magi came from the East to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him.””—Matthew 2:1-2
“And behold, the star that they had seen in the East went before them, until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. And when they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly. And entering the house they found the Child with Mary His Mother, and falling down they worshiped Him. And opening their treasures and they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”—Matthew 2:9-11
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”—Luke 2:1-7
Speak Your Mind