I had a wonderful experience tonight that I felt started the Christmas season for me. I hope you don't mind me getting a little personal as I take you on my own "journey through Bethlehem". Tonight for our Young Womens group, we took the girls to a live Nativity that was close to our home. I had heard it was really neat, but had no idea the impact it would have on me by the time we left.
As my journey began, I walked through a crowded "city" where I first saw a father teaching his son the ways of carpentry. This young boy watched as his father taught him how to scrape the wood and turn it into something of purpose. Of course I thought of our Savior doing the same thing as a boy, but I also thought of my own life and the incredible impact a father has on a child. I have looked up to my father and his teachings and example for all my life. I see my own children beam every time they get to spend time with Brian. I watch Kaden as he works by his dad's side and tries to do everything the way his dad does it. It is these examples that will mold our children. It is the same example young Joseph taught our Savior.
As I continued my journey through the streets of Bethlehem, I saw the vendors selling their goods, the women polishing their dishes, the artisians making their pots. Everyone busy about their daily lives when we came across two lepers lying on the ground holding out their frail hands asking for a little change. All though this was just a reinactment, I felt so terrible walking away from these two people helpless on the "street". It made me think to myself... how many times do I just "walk past" those in need of my help? How many people are suffering around me that I don't take the time to give them a hand? Why do we continue to shun or ignore those with ailments beyond their control? My heart sank as I walked away.. having done nothing, but knowing I should have.
The street continued to wind at this point, and soon I saw a beautiful grey donkey... much like you imagine Mary riding on. As I leaned down to take a moment to explain the importance of this donkey to Kaden.... I started to tell him how Mary rode on this donkey when she had a baby in her tummy just like mommy. I went on to continue the story when Kaden stopped me and said, "I already know that mom". How touched I was at this point in my journey to know that my 4 year old little boy understood the role this donkey had in the most important event in history. I watched him as he petted the donkey.. almost as if it was an honor to be so close to such a humble animal.
My journey into Bethlehem has become an amazing look into my own life so far, and it's about to change me in just a few small steps as I enter a small stable. There in the darkness I see the most amazing bright light shining down on a beautiful baby lying in a soft, perfect manger. This child... not more than a few months old is wiggling and smiling at His mother as she lovingly looks into His eyes. I look down to see my own son walking ahead of everyone to get right infront of this amazing scene. His hands gripped onto the small fence just staring at baby Jesus. I hope the image of that moment stays with me forever as I didn't have a camera. A perfect baby in a manger white as snow from the light above moving and wiggling watching His mothers smile and a small 4 year old boy in a blue beanie and heavy coat on his tiptoes watching quietly this moment in history come to life. I had to step back with tears in my eyes and try and contemplate the power of this one event. The power of the Spirit not only testified to me that this DID happen, but that this was no ordinary event... no ordinary child... no ordinary stable. Christ the Lord came to this earth just like you and I. In the most humble, perfect way He could.... as a child. And to see that my own child... as small as he is, in some way understood that. He could feel the power of that moment. He knew who that baby was and he loved Him. I realized once again, that I too knew who that baby was and that I loved Him more that I could imagine. Watching my son stare into that stable and not wanting to leave was a testament to me that what I try to teach him every day is true.. and that he understands. He probably understands even better than I do at times and that helps me strive to be better and draw closer to my Savior and my own testimony.
What an amazing journey I was able to go on all from walking the streets of Bethlehem in a small town in Utah on a cold night with my son. I was changed tonight. I feel a deeper connection to my Savior and the power that His birth can have on all of us if we just take the time to make the "journey".
Merry Christmas.
