Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem. Todd Outcalt

and past lives, on the other hand, are quite different.

      We have a tendency to chart the course of history from some high vantage point, where we make judgments about people and places and momentous outcomes from an omniscient point of view—even though our knowledge of these past experiences is, at best, marginal and our vision, looking back, fraught with uncertainties and the limitations of time. We rarely see life as an adventure, as a series of opportunities and challenges that call to the best of our character and faith. But in large part, I hope this small book of Advent and Christmas devotions will offer such an opportunity—a slight respite from the seasons of busyness and preparation and joy in which to pause, reflect, and perhaps enter the great adventure of faith as a journey to Bethlehem.

      When we undertake any journey of faith, we do so by taking one step at a time. We never arrive at our destinations—especially spiritual ones—without struggle, persistence, and the help and assistance of others. Bethlehem is the call to come and see what God has done—and what God can do—in our lives. Bethlehem is the call to choose Jesus as our guide and our destination.

      Our steps of faith may be taking us ever closer to some destination we set out toward many years before: perhaps a decision, a call, or some great work we wish to accomplish for God. Or our journey could be of the interior variety—a closer relationship with God, a deeper concern for others, or intentional conversations we need to have with those we love. We might undertake the journey of the season to find more hope or joy in an otherwise drab or mundane experience.

      It is likely that most people reading this book have never been to the little town of Bethlehem. But that is of little consequence to the actual adventure of journeying there, to the adventure of discovery that awaits the mystery and wonder in the birth of Jesus. These devotions, I hope, can strengthen the faith of all readers who have ever pondered the meaning of Christ’s birth or have ever desired to move into some new adventure of the heart and mind. I hope readers can discover something new they may have overlooked in “the old, old story” (UMH, no. 156).

      I have been to Bethlehem a couple of times in my life. I have entered its walls, and I have touched the traditional stones commemorating the birthplace of Jesus in the Church of the Nativity. I have passed along the flame taken from the grotto of the Church of the Nativity in subsequent Advents and Christmases as the Peace Light of Christ has made its way around the world—a flame passed from person to person. And I have witnessed the hardships and suffering surrounding Bethlehem and the peace that eludes, even now, the people who populate this small village outside of Jerusalem.

      And yet, the Bethlehem of the Bible—the one described from the vantage point of Gospel writers, shepherds, prophets, and poets—is not really a place we can reach by walking or completing a pilgrimage. We can arrive there only by faith, much like many of the saints longed for a celestial city—a place not made by human hands but eternal in the heavens. We are still journeying toward Jesus—although, he is, in fact, the very One who is guiding us, through the Holy Spirit. If we want to go to Bethlehem, if we long to journey there, we need not purchase an airline ticket. We can watch, listen, serve, and grow as we make our way to Jesus. And even if we are still curious or have questions about him, he awaits us at the end of the journey, just as the infant Jesus awaited the shepherds and the magi.

      Jesus is the one we are seeking. It is the journey of a lifetime, a spiritual one, and it will last all life long. Perhaps this little devotional can help you along the way and offer new steps during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Hopefully, you can find yourself listening to these concise scripture promises, pondering a deep thought, or even whispering a prayer. You might discover new ways to serve others or begin again. Or you might undertake this journey with others—in a small group or as a family.

      Are you willing to take the journey? Set out for Bethlehem. Let’s see what Jesus has in store for us. We can go together.

      So, let us be on our way.

      Amen.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

      This book is written for both personal and small-group use. There are devotions for each of the twenty-eight^* days of Advent, for the twelve days of Christmas, and for the day of the Epiphany. All told, this book can be used as a devotional tool or a study guide for six weeks.

      Readers can make this study a pilgrimage, of sorts, through the days of Advent and Christmas on their way to Bethlehem. And small groups or classes can use a week at a time (seven devotions) to accompany the study guide at the back of this book, a guide that contains questions for reflection and conversation. The guide may also be used by a leader to formulate additional ideas, or the scripture lessons of the week may be used to expand knowledge of the biblical text accompanied by these thoughts and questions.

      As a suggestion for personal devotion, I would recommend placing this book in a location one can visit each day—a favorite chair, a porch, or a table beside the fireplace. As such, the devotions will not be forgotten but can become a daily part of one’s routine—a discipline that one can return to every morning or evening.

      Finally, the questions for individual reflection or group discussion in the back of the book can be used once a week for further study and review.

      ^* The number of days of Advent varies from twenty-two to twenty-eight, depending upon the particular year.

      ADVENT

AN ADVENT PRAYER

      No longer shall we dream of the old year

      As in these weeks, anticipation wraps

      Hearth and home

      And comes full circle in the time

      Where joy inscribes the new maps

      Of love

      Which have come near.

      ADVENT

       Day 1

       Being Alert

      “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.”

      —MARK 13:32-36

      Some years ago, during a lengthy trip through Europe via rail, my wife and I found ourselves perplexed by the myriad options available to us at the train station in Rome. There were dozens of names and numbers displayed on the overhead schedules, trains coming and going, and thousands of people clamoring about with their families and luggage. In short, we were bewildered, frightened, and certainly lost.

      Fortunately, we had a guide who met us at the station and gave us both reassurance and instruction. “Here is what you watch for,” she told us. “Don’t become distracted by the hustle and bustle around you. Always keep an eye out for the porter. He will be on board and will give you instruction as to when you have arrived at your destination.”

      Our guide was most helpful. And I’m not sure we would have made it through Europe without her calm assurances and her steady hand.

      Advent begins—and in fact, the entirety of the Christian journey begins—at the point where we accept Jesus as our Guide and begin to walk with his calm assurances in the midst of our fears. He’s going to meet us, he tells us. He’s going to show up, even if we don’t know when or how. Jesus even invites us to look for his presence