Christmas night in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago

Isn't He something!

The Light which is so revealing, so truthful and yet not cold.

How He turns the darkest night into a celebration of love, joy and good will.

How He turns the feared execution method into the strongest symbol of forgiveness and love.

I mean, really, think about it - it was not exactly a nice night

The young pregnant woman had travelled a long way with her husband either walking or riding on the back of a donkey. There was no room in a hotel or motel in Bethlehem and she was about to give birth to a child. Not nice.

The purpose of the trip was also not all that nice - to be registered in the House of David for taxation by the occupying power. Whatever Joseph the Carpenter made, the Romans wanted their share from it And they were quite determined to collect the taxes, too.

If that was not enough to spoil the feelings the political atmosphere was not nice at all. King Herod was an Edomite and not of Jewish origins. The King did his best to please the Jewish population, that is true, but he was highly suspicious character and had even three of his own sons executed suspected of trying to take his crown.

Not for nothing Caesar Augustus said about king Herod... it is better to be his swine then his son. (hyos, hyios) for the pigs had peace in the Holy Land, Herod's sons rested in tombs.

No, not a nice night.

And look how He has turned it into the most loved night of the year, the darkest moment in the nature when Sun is low and weak.

Night of the homeless, born out of marriage babies, overtaxed, politically persecuted, children in danger of violent death

Christmas night in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.

Isn't He wonderful!