Good News in Bethlehem

By Sheila Burrows

“Good News in Bethlehem” came to life many years ago in a pine forest near Orrville. Walking through the snow and choosing just the right Christmas tree was such an exciting time for this little girl. Just to think that Jesus loved me so much that He died on a tree was a concept hard to understand at such a young age. Thankfully my earthly father taught me all about my Heavenly Father and how a celebration of His birth needed to be meaningful to each of us.

As we searched for that special tree, the story of Christ’s birth was shared.  It all began in a little town of Bethlehem but the story continued to the tree upon which He died for each of us.  My Daddy shared that the gift He gave to us on that day so many years ago was one of hope, love and life.  The aroma of the pines represented the everlasting life that He gives us as our Everlasting Father.  The sap that would come out when the tree was cut down was a symbol of His blood that was shed on the tree.  If He would not have died on that tree, we would not be celebrating His birth.   

It took a lot of effort for us to get the tree out of the woods and to the car.  But our effort was nothing compared to the effort Jesus gave on the day He died for us.  My Daddy taught me that God’s strength is what we must rely on at all times.  Jesus showed such physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength while on this earth and we needed to seek to be like Him.

Getting the tree home was not where the learning stopped.  As the lights were being put on the tree, I learned they represented Jesus as the Light of the World as found in John 8:12.  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)  The ornaments were beautiful and many had special meaning which represented each of God’s children.  The final decoration on the tree was that of the star which represented the star the Magi saw the night of His birth.  In Matthew 2:10 it reads, When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  (NIV)  As the star was placed on the tree, this little girl was overjoyed too!

The last part of the process was putting the gifts under the tree.  Nothing could compare to the gift Jesus gave us when He died for us.  But we need to follow His example of giving of ourselves.  There is no better way to show your love to someone than to give them a gift.  Of course, the gifts made from the heart were the most special because they had a part of us in them. 

My Daddy told me the gift given to each of us in the “Good News of Bethlehem” is one to ponder upon each and every day, not just on Christmas day.  He reminded me that as God’s children we are to share the “Good News” with others.  Isaiah 52:7 reads, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ (NIV)  The gift of sharing the “Good News” of Christ is the best gift we can give.  We need to practice this gift of love just as our Heavenly Father gives us the gift of His love.