This is a true story about a family that came to A Night In Bethlehem. This was the church function that I had been working on. Anyway, Joe Glover was gracious enough to write it up so that we may share it with others.{{{{Ok the picture has nothing to do with the story, but I thought it was a cute one of my baby putting the star on the tree for the first time}}}}}
I Get It Now!
Gayle is excited that Tom and Larry have agreed to come and bring their families tonight. It has been bone chilling cold all week, made the worse by an unusually fierce wind blowing in from a major blizzard up north.
That has been a discouraging development. Dozens and dozens of volunteers have planned and worked for months just for these three days. For the past two weeks, the pace has accelerated to a morning, noon and evening frenzy. After all, it is no small thing to convert 200 acres of East Texas land into a living version of ancient Bethlehem. But, now, prayers and pleas are being answered. This day has dawned bright and cloud free, warmer and the winds falling to barely noticeable gusts.
This pleases Gayle greatly. For years she and her family have faithfully witnessed to Tom, Larry and their families. The brothers have worked for her family business for years – dependable, trustworthy employees. Always polite but unresponsive, they have all heard the gospel many times, even attending church occasionally. In fact, their children are even practicing for this year’s church program, memorizing the Christmas carols and verses.
But, nothing else. It was like they heard the words, simply didn’t get it.
Gayle and her family prayed for the Spirit to touch the brothers and their families. For years they had been a focal point of hope, disappointment, even a little tussling with God. Would he let them get away? Was there anything else they could do, any other way to reach them?
Well, this Night in Bethlehem at the Rock High Ranch was the latest effort – they and their friends have been praying that God would use these three nights in a very special way.
The night comes; they all climb on the hay wagon. Off they go on their journey to Bethlehem. They travel through the dark but star lit night. At the first stop, they encounter the angel, telling them that something special is happening in Bethlehem. Then, they move on, encountering the shepherds who are also heading to Bethlehem, wanting to see this child the angels have told them about.
And, then, the ride comes to the manger. There, youth portray the Christmas family – Mary, Joseph, the new born babe lying in the manger. The camel, the donkeys, the hay and the star above the manger, they are all the parts of the story that are heard of in the songs and the stories.
It’s a special night, special beyond any expectation. As Gayle and her children sit with Tom, Larry and their families, it happens.
Ricky, Tom’s oldest, looks over to Gayle. He has a key role in the program at church that Sunday. He will be one of the shepherds, with carefully memorized lines. There is a glow on his face, perhaps a reflection of the star placed over the manger, perhaps more. What is for sure is the light he now has inside, a light made evident when he thrills Gayle’s heart, saying ever so softly, “So, this is what the songs are about. This is it – I get it now. I really, really get it.”
So the work of many brings light to others. Who knows what prayer, what act, and what simple gesture will be the one that flicks the switch, which allows those others to finally “Get it”.
